MEGATHREAD - The Official 2014 Medicine Interview Preparation Thread

Original post by thefiretailedpony

So it IS legal? :|

It is not explicitly banned, but it is not covered by the usual stipulations of the Abortion Act. Abortion is only legal if two doctors sign a form to state they are happy that: -
(a)that the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family; or
(b)that the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or
(c)that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or
(d)that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped

The vast majority of terminations are done under clause a, and you could argue that it would be applicable in this circumstances if she's threatening suicide. In general though, the fetus being the "wrong" gender is not acceptable legal grounds for termination and most doctors would be extremely unwilling to refer on those grounds alone. A case like this would be something you would never want to handle alone, no matter how senior you are.

Reply 421

Paradox.

7

Original post by Helenia

It is not explicitly banned, but it is not covered by the usual stipulations of the Abortion Act. Abortion is only legal if two doctors sign a form to state they are happy that: -
(a)that the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family; or
(b)that the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or
(c)that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or
(d)that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped

The vast majority of terminations are done under clause a, and you could argue that it would be applicable in this circumstances if she's threatening suicide. In general though, the fetus being the "wrong" gender is not acceptable legal grounds for termination and most doctors would be extremely unwilling to refer on those grounds alone. A case like this would be something you would never want to handle alone, no matter how senior you are.

Surely if someone wanted to abort a baby due to its gender, but was aware of this law, they would just lie about the reason, eg. claiming they wouldn't be able to handle the baby and would have negative impact on mother's life etc.. How would a doctor determine the true reason for wanting abortion? Would it just be down to their judgement?

Reply 422

Helenia

20

Original post by Paradox.

Surely if someone wanted to abort a baby due to its gender, but was aware of this law, they would just lie about the reason, eg. claiming they wouldn't be able to handle the baby and would have negative impact on mother's life etc.. How would a doctor determine the true reason for wanting abortion? Would it just be down to their judgement?

If they're a good liar, there's no way to know. The law is far from perfect.

Most terminations in the UK are done very early (pre-12 weeks) so the couple usually do not know what gender the fetus is. It's usually only possible to tell at the 20 week scan (perhaps a few weeks earlier if they pay for a private scan or are having extra scans for other reasons) and terminations at that stage are much rarer and would raise more questions. If they know the law and are able to lie adequately though, even with the most probing questions you'd struggle to identify every person doing it.

Reply 423

letsbehonest

15

Original post by FlavaFavourFruit

Ok.!

and to to answer that question, it shouldn't be legal but how can we tell 100% if that's the reasons for abortion

So if it is not illegal, can someone just ask their doctor to have an abortion on the grounds of gender?

Reply 424

FlavaFavourFruit

Original post by letsbehonest

So if it is not illegal, can someone just ask their doctor to have an abortion on the grounds of gender?

I don't think there's anything in the law which can prohibit it so I think it's legal yeah..

Reply 425

letsbehonest

15

Original post by FlavaFavourFruit

I don't think there's anything in the law which can prohibit it so I think it's legal yeah..

Okay..
Seems dodgy, haha.

Reply 426

FlavaFavourFruit

Original post by letsbehonest

Okay..
Seems dodgy, haha.

Exactly, there can be some dodgy cases which is why 2 doctors have to agree for an abortion to be carried out!

Reply 427

Helenia

20

Original post by FlavaFavourFruit

I don't think there's anything in the law which can prohibit it so I think it's legal yeah..

See my post above - gender alone would not fulfil the legal criteria. We do not, technically, have "abortion on demand" in this country.

If someone were to argue that they would be mentally damaged by having a child of the wrong sex, or whatever, then it becomes a much more murky area and some people might sign the form but you would be under no obligation to do so. I think it would be a fairly unfair question to expect a definite answer to at interview.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 428

letsbehonest

15

Question

What would you do if a patient (35 y/o) desperately needed an operation but was afraid of general anaesthetic?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 429

username1149337

1

Original post by letsbehonest

Question

What would you do if a patient (35 y/o) desperately needed an operation but was afraid of general anaesthetic?

Firstly I would judge whether they were competant and consult others when coming to this decision. I would then explain to her the urgency of the operation and the consequences they could face by not going through with the operation. I would try and put her at ease regarding the anaesthetic by explaining the low associated risk of it and the high skill of the anaethesist who will be responsible. If she is deemed competant and is refusing to have the operation I would respect her autonomy and not proceed with the operation. I would consult more specialised doctors to see whether there is perhaps another method of treatment which would not require GA and if found offer this as an option.

Reply 430

FlavaFavourFruit

Original post by Helenia

See my post above - gender alone would not fulfil the legal criteria. We do not, technically, have "abortion on demand" in this country.

If someone were to argue that they would be mentally damaged by having a child of the wrong sex, or whatever, then it becomes a much more murky area and some people might sign the form but you would be under no obligation to do so. I think it would be a fairly unfair question to expect a definite answer to at interview.

Alright thanks! Abortion can be such a murky area indeed !

Reply 431

Kitnimohabbathai

hey guys! I've applied to hyms and just worrying about the weird questions they tend to ask to test innovation and creativity. Just wondering if there is a way to prepare for these types of questions? how is everybody preparing for interviews in general?

Reply 432

medicdreamer

What medical news should we look out for? There are so many different issues from so many sites. Which types are likely to be talked about at interview? Would interviewers ask about a news issue in the last 2 weeks or in the last two months?

Reply 433

Ceryni

18

Original post by Helenia

See my post above - gender alone would not fulfil the legal criteria. We do not, technically, have "abortion on demand" in this country.If someone were to argue that they would be mentally damaged by having a child of the wrong sex, or whatever, then it becomes a much more murky area and some people might sign the form but you would be under no obligation to do so. I think it would be a fairly unfair question to expect a definite answer to at interview.

Can't remember where I read it, but there are some GMC guidelines on things they think should be included in medical interviews, and they advised that questions on abortion or euthanasia shouldn't be asked. Might be in Tomorrow's doctors, I'll check now :tongue:

Reply 434

TattyBoJangles

19

Original post by medicdreamer

What medical news should we look out for? There are so many different issues from so many sites. Which types are likely to be talked about at interview? Would interviewers ask about a news issue in the last 2 weeks or in the last two months?

Generally, the 'big' news (eg NHS reforms, stories with a particular ethical implication) will appear on the televised news. I always watch the news at 10 anyway, but maybe keep an eye out there.
Other than that, I just kept an eye on BBC Health. They can ask you about fairly recent stuff but I'd say you'll be fine if you keep up to date by looking at the health section on news websites.
I also had an online subscription to New Scientist but I don't think I ever actually read it unless there was something that caught my eye.

At St Andrews, they give you a news article (often from New Scientist / BBC etc). Before the interview, you're given 10 minutes to read through the article and take notes on it and at the end of the interview they ask you to summarise the article and make any points you feel relevant. I don't know if other unis do this, but I found that it was helpful to not only read the articles, but to try and find flaws in them; look at them objectively and perhaps pick out what's good / bad about them.
Eg mine was a study about how certain bacteria found in the gut could be associated with obesity. What they were looking for was an objective argument eg 'correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation'.

Reply 435

thefiretailedpony

5

Original post by letsbehonest

Question

What would you do if a patient (35 y/o) desperately needed an operation but was afraid of general anaesthetic?

I read a study which states that general anesthetic is actually harmless compared to local anesthetic which may lead to chronic pains (head ache I believe it was). Can I say this? :biggrin:

Also I would explain that the procedure can't really be done otherwise (if that's the case, depends I guess). Also I would look into alternative treatments, though unlikely, I guess I cannot force the patient to agree to the op.

I'd discuss her worries, explain the risks, chances that smth might go wrong due to the anesthetic in itself, which are low. Maybe get a psychiatrist to discuss it also if I cannot get through, as well as other doctors to testify to it. Lastly I'd talk to the family/next of kin to explain them the situation.

Reply 436

CasualSoul

16

SUpER QUick question:

I've established that a person in a vegetative state is conscious and awake but has no awareness.

In general though can they still hear/ understand what is going on around them but they are just unable to react ?

Also does the same apply to coma (a person in a coma is not aware/ shows no signs of being awake)?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 437

Helenia

20

Original post by thefiretailedpony

I read a study which states that general anesthetic is actually harmless compared to local anesthetic which may lead to chronic pains (head ache I believe it was). Can I say this? :biggrin:

Erm, I'm not quite sure what you mean by this or what study you're referring to. Be VERY careful when trying to give technical details if you're not totally sure about them.

Also I would explain that the procedure can't really be done otherwise (if that's the case, depends I guess). Also I would look into alternative treatments, though unlikely, I guess I cannot force the patient to agree to the op.

I'd discuss her worries, explain the risks, chances that smth might go wrong due to the anesthetic in itself, which are low. Maybe get a psychiatrist to discuss it also if I cannot get through, as well as other doctors to testify to it. Lastly I'd talk to the family/next of kin to explain them the situation.