Background and motivation Flashcards
Tell me about yourself
- Biomedical science - neurodegeneration - problem solving
- HCA - 8 months - teamwork - communication - Makaton
- YSA - team to educate public
- Charity officer - fundraising aware - organisation, time, leadership
- ID/GP placement
- Swimming - pressure, stress, resilience
- Volunteering - dignity and respect, leadership, treat as individual
Why do you want to study medicine
• I always enjoyed science at school - dissections and anatomy during degree
• I’ve also always enjoyed interacting with people e.g. volunteering - teaching
• Organised placement with the GP for a week
o Loved seeing how the doctor communicated with the patients to determine the best care for the patient
o Problem solving aspect really appealed too and seeing how the doctor had to take into account social and biological factors to make a decision on end of life care
• Being a health care assistant for 8 months over 442 hours cemented this desire
o Enjoyed: MDT, difference at most vulnerable -hoist/teddy, communicating/interacting with patients e.g. MS/cuppa – medicine similar…
• Although aspects were clearly challenging e.g…. – work/life balance, enjoy challenge
• I feel like medicine will allow for life-long learning and combine my love for science and also communication with patients
If not offered a place what would you do
• I was originally offered a place at Sheffield after my A-levels. I reflected on where I went wrong
• Gained more experience as a HCA for 8 months developing my communication skills, teamwork skills and gave me a better insight into medicine, ensuring this was still something I want to do
• If again
o Masters/HCA
o Why gone wrong
o More experience/voluntary work to gain more insight
• Also continue with swimming, volunteering
What excites you about a career in medicine
- Highly sociable career and allows for a lot of communication with patients
- Teamwork
- Make a difference to people’s lives in their most vulnerable state
- Opportunities to teach within the profession
- So much variety/ so diverse
- Ability for life-long learning
• Problem solving
o End of life care plan – biological and social factors
• Aware extremely challenging – death, emotionally and physically draining, paperwork – yet work life balance etc. from swimming
What aspects of being a doctor are you not attracted to
- physically demanding
- emotionally demanding
- paper work takes time away from interacting with patients
- complaints due to increased demand and expectations due to better technologies
How have non-scientific hobbies aided you in becoming a doctor
• Swimming
o WJ record/Commonwealth games
o Time management, determination, motivation, commitment, resilience
• Charity work/inclusion officer
o £8000 for charity
o Deal with conflict within the team every other week
o Teamwork, resolve conflict, planning/organisation
• Volunteering
o Empathy, compassion, leadership skills
What do you wish to achieve from your medical career
Would be open to different aspects
GP - continuity of care so can build relationships, 2 FY, 3 GP
Variety of people, ages, prevention and treatment
Holistic and problem solving
Teaching
Work-life balance
Why a doctor and not a nurse
Very similar - same goal to deliver best patient care, work in MDT, care compassion communication, administer meds
Yet higher degree of clinical responsibility
o Although nurses are still vital in the decision making process and are getting increased responsibility, the doctor ultimately decides on the course of treatment plan or the patient
o I would enjoy exercising this level of responsibility
Increased problem solving
o observed in the GP practice
o e.g. uni degree
Interested in the science behind the medicine
not same as 3 year nursing course e.g. anatomy
Why a doctor and not other profession
- In comparison to a research scientist, you cannot follow the patient over time
- In comparison to working in labs, it is a highly social profession.
What are your strengths
• Adapt communication skills
o HCA – Makaton
o Volunteering – mention respect and dignity
• Motivation and determination
o Swimming
• Empathy
o Alzheimer’s patient – bear
• Resilient
o Swimming
• Organisation/time management skills etc.
o Charity
Will you stay motivated
- Swimming demonstrates my motivation/determination
- As a swimming teacher – require motivation to persist with those struggling to master a skill – takes perseverance
- Already been through a uni degree
• Work experience
o I was able to take the time to reflect on if this is something I still want
o E.g. communication with patients
What steps have you taken to see if medicine is right
8 months HCA 1 week GP - problem solving 1 week ID - work in partnership, listen talking to med students Immortal life of HeLa
Where do you see yourself in 10 years
5 years med school F1/F2 years GP - 3 years o Love the variety in patients o Allow to work part time to fulfil other roles e.g. medical teaching o Problem-solving aspect o Continuity of care
• I believe I have the skills to achieve this as:
o Dedication/motivation
o Adapt communication skills
o Empathy
• I would join societies linked to this career pathway if I was successful to maximise my chances, however I would not close off any doors
How do you handle professional failures and setbacks
Why went wrong, rectify it, prevent, ask for help
e. g. DQ at race - coach, watch race, sports psychologist, silver in same event, 15 mins on turns
e. g. not getting into medicine - cut down on swimming, more confidence and work experience and voluntary work
e. g. HCA - little things wrong for the patient
What have you learnt from your setbacks
Open and honest
When to ask for help
Own limitations
How to prevent
