All entries for November 2014

My first Med Life blog post

Hello, my name is Natalie and I’m a second year student at Warwick Medical School. This is my first blog post for Med Life so I’ll start with a bit of an introduction…

Before coming to Warwick I studied pharmacology at Newcastle University. I really enjoyed my time there as an undergraduate. Lots of Warwick students come from the ‘Biomed’ family at Newcastle and indeed I found myself living with two other fellow graduates in my first year. Life as a student at Warwick is completely different to life in the Toon - I’ve swapped a lively city centre for a quiet campus on the outskirts of Coventry. I’ve given up the days of three trebles for £5 and more night clubs than people for quiet drinks in one of a handful of bars, followed by the occasional night at Altoria (perhaps the worst club in existence, but free admission to medical students none the less).

I’ve also finally learnt the meaning of the word ‘student’… there’s the word “study” in there somewhere. Although I did work hard during my final year at Newcastle, it doesn’t even begin to compare to the work I put in during my first year of medicine. Although it may seem like I might be having a bit of a moan about Warwick, in all honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. I love that I had such a fun undergraduate experience at Newcastle, because now I’m finally ready to work harder and play (a little) less as I move towards, dare I say it, an actual career.

Following my graduation in July 2013, I moved swiftly down to the Midlands and started at Warwick that September. My first year passed by incredibly quickly as we ploughed through what seemed like a never-ending torrent of new information. Looking back from the green fields of second year I would say that first year was definitely an experience, but perhaps not one I’d ever like to repeat. I learnt an incredible amount in nine months and I pushed myself almost to breaking point… there were more than a few evenings when I decided that “I would never know enough to be a doctor and that instead of learning my brain had given up and wilted to nothing-ness”. However, I worked hard, I sat my exams and I (somehow) managed to pass first year. Fantastic. One year done.

After the ordeal of first year I enjoyed a three-month summer, during which I decided to take a “do anything but medicine” approach… this resulted in me working in a falafel van at music festivals for two months before travelling the Baltic States.

Having enjoyed a medicine free summer I returned to Warwick, eager to start my second year. I moved into a new house in Leamington Spa with four of the loveliest girls on my course and all of a sudden second year began.

So far year two has been ‘a dream’, the pace has slowed down, the workload is more manageable, there has been much more time for social events including (importantly in our house) tea and cake and a good old chat and I’ve even had enough time to write a blog! Although a lot of information that went into my head last year has since disappeared I’m starting to feel a little more confident in my ability to pass the course… Knowing enough to be a doctor on the other hand - I’m still not convinced, but I’m willing to give it a try.

Megan Earle : 26 Nov 2014 09:55 |  Tags: Mbchb Natalie Second Year Student Warwick Wms |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Hello

My name is Sarah and I am currently a final year medical student at Warwick. For my first post, I wanted to tell you a bit about myself and my path to studying medicine here.

I did my first degree at Manchester University, where I studied biomedical science. I thought that I wanted to work in research, but during my final year research project I realised that I enjoyed my clinical lectures much more, and decided to apply for medicine. I had done some work experience at a local hospice, and also shadowed a GP for a few days so I gave it a go. The first year, I didn’t even get an interview anywhere, which I was pretty gutted about.

I then spent the months after graduation (in 2010, when the recession was doing its worst) doing a variety of awful jobs to earn some money whilst I regrouped and reapplied. This time, I got an interview at Warwick, and a few months later found out that I had been accepted. I hadn’t had an interview anywhere else, which I think goes to show that perseverance and self-belief are pretty essential in the lottery that is the medical school applications system!

If you are reading this and wondering about whether you should bother applying to medicine or not, because the odds of getting in are so small, then you should stop wondering and apply! I never thought that I would get a place, and I didn’t think that I had the right background or experience.

It actually turned out that the student body at Warwick is pretty diverse. In my house alone we have someone who studied psychology, a neuroscientist, a sports scientist and a research chemist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry before applying. I also know a few physicists, a midwife, a nurse and a pharmacist. Since I applied, Warwick’s entry requirements have changed to include non-science degrees, so there is even more diversity now.

The one piece of advice that I would give to you if you are applying to medicine is to sit down before your interview and think not only about what work experience you have done, but also about what that work experience has taught you. Everyone can say, “I shadowed a GP for 3 days,” but not everyone will have reflected on what this has taught them about medicine as a career. Reflecting on your experiences is a really important part of working as a doctor, and everybody from medical students up to consultants has to do it, so you might as well start now!

Since starting at Warwick, I have been through 18 months of pre-clinical education and then 18 months of clinical placements in medicine, surgery, anaesthetics, orthopaedics, general practice, psychiatry, obstetrics and child health. I only have my emergency medicine block left before finals, which is quite a terrifying thought!

I hope to use this blog to give you some perspective of what it is like to be almost at the end of the marathon that is medical school, and what it is like to sit finals.

Megan Earle : 24 Nov 2014 10:43 |  Tags: Mbchb Sarah Student Warwick Wms |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A day in the life of a GP!

A few weeks ago I spent a day shadowing various healthcare professionals at a GP surgery. The majority of my GP experience comes from my own visits so I was looking forward to seeing what really goes on, and getting to spend time with other members of the team.

During the day I spent time at reception, with the nurse, in the dispensary department, going on home visits and sitting in with the GP for their afternoon clinic. Getting to experience so many different aspects of the practice was so interesting, and enabled me to see a wide range of patients.

In reception you would have the regular patients who loved to have a quick catch up, the patients who didn’t have time to wait for the receptionist to answer their questions, and then everyone in between. As the morning got underway the surgery got busier and busier – the phone rang incessantly and more people had follow-up appointments to book. I got to see how the electronic system worked and how every clinic was coded and ordered.

When I spent time with the nurse I mainly saw a variety of injections – whether it was for a new-born, contraceptive needs or elderly vaccinations. The nurse was great at communicating with patients of all ages – and I got to see how best to deal with a screaming infant who did not want their MMR jab, even with the bribery of stickers and sweets!

The dispensing part of the surgery was really fascinating. My GP at home doesn’t have one so it was great to learn how they work, and which patients are eligible to use them. It was also interesting to see all the different ways prescriptions can be ordered – email, phone, paper... And then just how real polypharmacy is – some patients would have boxes and boxes of tablets. The pharmacist highlighted how it is just as important for them to check the different medications as the doctor, sometimes they can suggest a better alternative or a possible reduction when they are going through a prescription.

Having the opportunity to go on a couple of home visits was great. Neither of the patients really needed to see the doctor for anything important, they were both more of just a chat, but it showed how elderly patients in particular appreciate seeing a figure they trust and can open up to. Conversely, it also showed how sometimes such patients can take up a lot of time, and increase the pressures put on GP’s schedules.

Finally, sitting in on the afternoon clinic! I loved seeing again the real mix of patients that attended. Sometimes the doctor could guess what the presenting complaint was going to be, but other times it was completely random. It also gave me the chance to see what questions I would ask, or what areas I would examine and how that differed to what was actually done. I learnt a great deal and went home with a list of things to look up!

All in all I really enjoyed my day and am looking forward to my GP placement later on. I liked it a lot more than I was expecting, and therefore it made me re-think my preconceptions for various other specialities.

Megan Earle : 18 Nov 2014 12:01 |  Tags: Generalpractitioner Gp Mbchb Patients Rachel Warwick Wms |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The MedSoc Calendar

So we’ve just had Doctors and Nurses – the biggest night of the MedSoc calendar, and the highlight of the fresher’s week if you’ve just started. This was the second time I’ve been and it still lived up to its expectations. The best part about it is that being a girl you get to wear scrubs (which are so comfy) and get a night free of high heels, whilst laughing at guys dressed up in fish-net tights and fake eyelashes. Some people really go all out and have fantastic costumes! Getting my housemates ready has created a lot of entertainment both years. Each year we have had a shopping trip to buy them tights, make up and nail varnish (much to their regret the following morning!), and then we take as many photos as possible to embarrass them with afterwards. Last year two of my housemates decided to go as Florence Nightingale styled nurses!

I think a big reason that this night is such a success is that every year group gets involved – even some students that have left come back for more! It is also one of the very few events to be held in Coventry – which makes a nice change for those us who live in the area as our taxi fare can finally be reduced! Getting to know new people hidden behind a beard or under a blonde wig is also a great laugh! Although you may see a few too many hairy legs on show!

The next big night that occurs at the beginning of term for the fresher’s is Medic Parents Dinner! This is where as a fresher, you are paired with a second year (who becomes your ‘parent’) and you are invited round for dinner to spend some quality time with them. You then you head out with the other fresher’s and their ‘families’ for a night out in Leamington. Mine last year was really good, and a great way to get to know more people from the year above. ‘Parents’ and ‘children’ are paired at the beginning of the year at the ‘Meet the Parents’ event so everyone gets introduced to their ‘family’ before the dinner to save for any awkwardness! These pairings are made according to previous study, work, and any hobbies or interests. This means that everyone should have found at least one thing in common that works as a good first discussion point!

Throughout the year there are many other social events, including balls and curry nights. Every social I have attended has been a lot of fun and has allowed me to mix with more students that are not in my CBL group or who I might not necessarily see much. Prices for events are also often discounted if you are a MedSoc member so it is definitely worth joining – plus you get free entry into Altoria every Friday so what other reason do you need?!

Megan Earle : 13 Nov 2014 14:13 |  Tags: Mbchb Medsoc Rachel Student Warwick Wms |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem