All entries for August 2014
August 21, 2014
Being in a society at WMS
As I mentioned before, this year I have been involved with the paediatrics society. They always say that a medical student changes their mind on what they want to do a thousand times, and I’m in no doubt that I will want to try my hand at a fair few different specialities as I learn about them, but paediatrics has always been an interest of mine, and something I’d like to learn more about. So, when they announced that the committee was looking for 2 first year representatives I thought I’d give it a shot!
It has been such great fun being a part of the committee. The positions were filled with students from each year so it was really interesting getting time to speak to them about their experiences at Warwick and what they were currently up to. We also got to meet with a couple of doctors from UHCW so that we could arrange a careers information evening, which was held just after our first year exams, and to have a chance to look at opportunities for doing research or audits in the area. The society also works closely with Grace Research Fund – a charity that helps to support research into improving the wellbeing of babies and their families in the Warwickshire and Coventry area. This year the society also re-launched Bedside Play – where basically you pick a time to go onto the children’s ward at UHCW and play with the kids. I have done it a couple of times, and it has been really rewarding playing with the children, and giving the parents a chance for a bit of a break. Another part of the society that started this year was SABL – Save A Baby’s Life. A group of students from across the year spent a weekend getting trained in order to teach parents and carers how to provide first aid to babies and children, and what to do in situations such as choking. We have already run a few sessions this year teaching students who perhaps are parents, or who would just like to know what to do (such as myself!). They were great fun and good CPR revision!
My role this year was really pretty simple – help keep my year updated with any society events and news! Myself and my fellow first year rep did also have a great time organising a bake sale in aid of Grace Research Fund – I don’t think we had ever seen so much cake! It was really successful, and a good way to get the whole year (and staff!) involved. Next year I am taking on position as secretary – this role will be completely new to me but I wanted to stay involved in the committee as I have really enjoyed it.
There are so many different societies at Warwick University itself, but also within the medical school as part of MEDSOC. I would definitely recommend getting involved with at least one society – you don’t have to become a committee member like I did but you can just join in! It is a great way to meet people from other years and perhaps learn or try something new. Plus, if you are keen and there isn’t a group for your interests, why not start it up? There have been a few new societies this year that have started due to more interest (and man-power perhaps!) so you never know who else might share your passion unless you ask! And, a final bonus, think of it as another item you can add to your CV or application form! ;)
Anyway, I hope you are having a great summer and I’ll speak to you again soon!
Rachel :)
Megan Earle
21 Aug 2014 10:00
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Tags: Cpr Mbchb Rachel Student Wms
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August 15, 2014
Case based learning
Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/med/study/ugr/
I cannot believe how fast first year has gone. It does not seem that long ago that I received my confirmation of getting in and was deciding on living arrangements, what colour stethoscope I should go for and where was the best place to get scrubs for our biggest fresher’s night! But what a year it has been! It has been challenging and difficult but I have also really enjoyed it. I didn’t know what to expect when we started as with the new course structure there was only so much the older years could tell us. I also wasn’t sure of how I would find case based learning (or CBL as it’s known), but I have actually been surprised at how good it has been!
The course is structured so that you have 3 CBL sessions a week – the CBL week starts on a Thursday, just to confuse matters, but that gives you the whole weekend to do any work you may have been set! Each week therefore has its own case – in the first session you are given a brief overview of the patient’s presenting complaint and a few details like their age. You then gradually build upon this information over the week, either in the sessions or at home. In each session you get given more information as the facilitator thinks you are ready for it – for example, once you have decided that your patient probably needs an MRI you get the results!
Most of the work though is done through discussion with your group. Each week we assign a chair and a scribe – and over the course of a block everyone gets a turn at something. The scribe records the discussion and highlights any key information, and the chair helps to keep everyone on track and ensures we move on when we’ve exhausted a topic! Normally ‘homework’ is assigned to everyone at the end of the first session which we then feed back to one another at the start of the second session. This has been a really useful way of covering lots of information and finding the important parts without you personally having to spend all your time doing so!
CBL wouldn’t be so effective if we didn’t all work as a team. I am lucky to get on well with all the members in my group, but that doesn’t mean we don’t sometimes have our squabbles! At the start of the year we, like most groups, we had a few lessons to learn and issues to iron out, but once they all got sorted we have all worked really well together. Spending time together outside of CBL has also been great fun, and a good way to build on relationships. I would not have enjoyed the year half so much if it hadn’t been for my CBL group. I always knew they were there for help and support when I was having a rubbish week or had a revision problem.
Not everyone will find best friends in their CBL groups, but so long as you can work together and help each other the year will be so much better. It’s common knowledge that not everyone gets on with everyone but being able to work alongside others from all backgrounds is so important for this career, and therefore it’s a good way to get the practice in early!
Sarah Hill
15 Aug 2014 14:58
| Tags: Case-Based Learning Mbchb Medicine Rachel Student Warwick
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