Medical students - tell us about yourself

I'm 6 foot 5.

To be honest after realising i couldn't be a pilot i left the idea of joining any form of the military behind and it wasn't until last year that i began to reconsider. At that point i chose army based upon the experiences of many of the senior officers at my local det and the potential benefits it could have on my career both clinically and regarding research. At my medical school/local hospitals the RAF isn't advertised so i guess i just never had the exposure.

Yeah definitely too tall for a pilot

If you don't mind, can you expand on what the senior officers said and also how it would help research? Clinically, I understand. Same here with the advertising though, it's always the Army as the barracks are literally 10 minutes away whereas the RAF base is 1+ hours away.

I really enjoy the pressure so far.

My heart and soul is in medicine but I am going to be a teacher for a bit (hopefully).

Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
when i was 10 but i wanted to be a lot of things; i think from year 10 work experience I was set on becoming a doctor

Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
not yet

With regards to the seniors it was how they described their experiences when they were in Iraq/Afghanistan and the system they were able to work in to ensure the optimal management of each casualty. When operational it was often said that bastion was the best trauma centre anywhere in the world and that is definitely something i would like to experience should i get the chance.

With research it simply helps to make contacts with people who in both their NHS and military careers are at the forefront of trauma care. I have already had the opportunity to become involved in a pre-hospital care project with a view to creating a database of patients from which further studies can be performed.

Additionally, should we ever return to conflict you have the opportunity to study a very rare population of patients with a much higher volume than in civilian life.

It's interesting people set their sites on it really early. I wonder if there is a natural interest in some people around biology or something?



Soon!

Thanks for the reply. This is definitely something to keep in mind for when I decide who to go for.

Did you apply for a bursary during your last 3 years of med school or have you just contacted them recently to join?

What a mad thing to say

You may not know this yet, but ALL doctors have to teach, and there are lots of teaching jobs in medicine. Being an anatomy demonstrator or clinical teaching fellow for a year or two is a great way to take some time 'out of medicne', bolster you CV, teach, and learn a lot of things yourself.

I only contacted them in my penultimate year to join and am currently joining as a reservist. Had i made the decision earlier going regular would have been a lot more tempting but it reportedly makes becoming a surgeon more difficult.

It's interesting people set their sites on it really early. I wonder if there is a natural interest in some people around biology or something?

You're right it's quite interesting. My 11 year old brother wants to be a doctor too but I've never pushed him into or anything like that

Maybe it is because the idea of doctors, nurses, policemen etc are instilled quite early on

Maybe it is because the idea of doctors, nurses, policemen etc are instilled quite early on. And the fact it can pay fairly well?

What year of medicine are you in right now?
2 (GEM)/3 undergrad
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Dermatology (sub specialised in dermatologica lsurgery)
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
see above
Which area of the country to work in?
london (born here, raised here, studied undergrad here and now medicine here, all family are here)
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I'm emotionally dead inside. jks!! Ermmm know everythign is a inevitable and while its still difficult I sort of just do the best I can and look to the future, have good friends and family to talk to in difficult times too,
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
not specifically, it kind of grew over time until I finally decidedd to take the plunge and apply
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
An uncle in manchester I see in family reunions 1 a year or so but almost never talk to
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
Being a medic is my second career
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Scrubs- its hilarious!!!
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
no idea, never seen it