Medical students - tell us about yourself
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Original post by Ghotay
True. Not a lot of children dream of working in management consultancy! I still don't know what that is
Original post by Mrs House
definitely agree, i still remember the first time i went to the hospital and who i saw etc
There's got to be a new set of fancy dress outfits for kids along the lines of "doctors, nurses and computer programmers"
Original post by The Angry Stoic
What year of medicine are you in right now?
Third, though my school do our finals in fourth and the last year is more like an apprentiship.
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Anaesthesia and intensive care
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Diagnostics and emergencies
Which area of the country to work in?
In the south but nowhere near London
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Alcohol, philosophy and crying in the shower.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Honestly, as in an informed and mature way, after I started the degree.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No, but my girlfriends family has a lot of doctors.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I plan to develop other sources of income but my vocation will always be medicine.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Scrubs is funny but I don't watch many often.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
I've never watched it!
Third, though my school do our finals in fourth and the last year is more like an apprentiship.
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Anaesthesia and intensive care
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Diagnostics and emergencies
Which area of the country to work in?
In the south but nowhere near London
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Alcohol, philosophy and crying in the shower.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Honestly, as in an informed and mature way, after I started the degree.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No, but my girlfriends family has a lot of doctors.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I plan to develop other sources of income but my vocation will always be medicine.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Scrubs is funny but I don't watch many often.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
I've never watched it!
Interesting, one of my consultant buddies always found the anaesthesia and intensive the toughest.
Original post by Captain Jack
So you plan to leave London? Joking! 
It's interesting most of you haven't seen Holby City. "Medics don't watch prime time BBC nonsense hospital programme SHOCKER"
It's interesting most of you haven't seen Holby City. "Medics don't watch prime time BBC nonsense hospital programme SHOCKER"
of course I plan to leave london! I have zero intention of do foundation in london, waaaaay too competitive, but want to be be consultant here, and was a coincidence for both my uni's to be in london too, did't have any intention for that either, but thats just how it worked out!
As for holby... I dunno looks boring lol
Original post by jenigma
I see, well best of luck to you on your career!
You too, whichever you decide.
Original post by Democracy
What year of medicine are you in right now?
Final
What area of medicine do you want to work in?
Emergency
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Emergency/acute care/infectious diseases/tropical medicine
Which area of the country to work in?
Preferably somewhere big and urban, but not grim or boring. Also not too far away from family/friends. You have to be willing to compromise as a med student/doctor, so I try not to get too attached to the "dream" of working in a particular hospital/city for the duration of my training, since that doesn't really happen for most people.
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Talking to medic friends - a problem shared and all that. Especially over a few drinks.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
I think I was about 10 or so, but I don't remember a single crystallising eureka moment. I liked reading books about the human body when I was little and if I ever had to go to the GP or hospital, I found it more interesting rather than scary, so I think that's where much of the initial childhood interest stemmed from.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No one in my immediate family.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
Unless something catastropic or highly unexpected happens, I hope to carry on.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
For the realism - Cardiac Arrest and Bodies
For the comedy - Scrubs
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Used to watch it years ago. It's very unrealistic, so probably a 1. Surgeons don't spend every minute of their working lives in theatre, patient record iPads aren't as ubiquitous as TV makes it seem, and why are the juniors always at arrests or in theatre and never doing paperwork/chasing results/stressing about jobs or exams? Also, why are there never any medical students around unless they're about to cause some sort of major incident or get off with someone inappropriate?
Also, everyone looks way too fresh and un-tired
Final
What area of medicine do you want to work in?
Emergency
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Emergency/acute care/infectious diseases/tropical medicine
Which area of the country to work in?
Preferably somewhere big and urban, but not grim or boring. Also not too far away from family/friends. You have to be willing to compromise as a med student/doctor, so I try not to get too attached to the "dream" of working in a particular hospital/city for the duration of my training, since that doesn't really happen for most people.
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Talking to medic friends - a problem shared and all that. Especially over a few drinks.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
I think I was about 10 or so, but I don't remember a single crystallising eureka moment. I liked reading books about the human body when I was little and if I ever had to go to the GP or hospital, I found it more interesting rather than scary, so I think that's where much of the initial childhood interest stemmed from.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No one in my immediate family.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
Unless something catastropic or highly unexpected happens, I hope to carry on.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
For the realism - Cardiac Arrest and Bodies
For the comedy - Scrubs
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Used to watch it years ago. It's very unrealistic, so probably a 1. Surgeons don't spend every minute of their working lives in theatre, patient record iPads aren't as ubiquitous as TV makes it seem, and why are the juniors always at arrests or in theatre and never doing paperwork/chasing results/stressing about jobs or exams? Also, why are there never any medical students around unless they're about to cause some sort of major incident or get off with someone inappropriate?
Also, everyone looks way too fresh and un-tired
Is Emergency medicine competitive as a specialist? I heard not many people want to do it past junior doctor level? Is that true?
Original post by Zain-A
Is Emergency medicine competitive as a specialist? I heard not many people want to do it past junior doctor level? Is that true?
It is a specialty which is in demand (psych and GP being two others) and which has problems retaining juniors yes.
Original post by Zain-A
Is Emergency medicine competitive as a specialist? I heard not many people want to do it past junior doctor level? Is that true?
It's relatively competitive for the first stage of training (ACCS), but they haemorrhage trainees at registrar level.
Captain Jack
Interesting, one of my consultant buddies always found the anaesthesia and intensive the toughest.
Why so? It's awesome!
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Helenia
It's relatively competitive for the first stage of training (ACCS), but they haemorrhage trainees at registrar level.
Ahh, so its fairly competitive to get into but alot of people drop out as its too much?
I heard somewhere that you should start building your CV towards a speciality as early as possible to stand a chance when you graduate, is this true?
Original post by Zain-A
Ahh, so its fairly competitive to get into but alot of people drop out as its too much?
I heard somewhere that you should start building your CV towards a speciality as early as possible to stand a chance when you graduate, is this true?
I heard somewhere that you should start building your CV towards a speciality as early as possible to stand a chance when you graduate, is this true?
Lots of people try to, but plenty change their minds or don't know what they want to specialise in. My personal feeling is that it's better not to commit too much too early, but others may disagree!
Original post by Zain-A
Ahh, so its fairly competitive to get into but alot of people drop out as its too much?
I heard somewhere that you should start building your CV towards a speciality as early as possible to stand a chance when you graduate, is this true?
I heard somewhere that you should start building your CV towards a speciality as early as possible to stand a chance when you graduate, is this true?
Yeah but not as early as before medical school! For super competitive things, like neurosurgery, getting relevant research and other things in medical school will be useful. For most other things, it's not really that important till fy1
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Original post by Asklepios
Yeah but not as early as before medical school! For super competitive things, like neurosurgery, getting relevant research and other things in medical school will be useful. For most other things, it's not really that important till fy1
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Posted from TSR Mobile
Yeah ahaha, dont worry, i'm not about to bounce into a A&E department anytime soon asking for work
Was just wondering as there is some cool societies you can join during med school relevant to certain specialities and wanted to know if they were worth it haha
Also heard there was some sort of points system too?
Original post by Zain-A
Yeah ahaha, dont worry, i'm not about to bounce into a A&E department anytime soon asking for work
Was just wondering as there is some cool societies you can join during med school relevant to certain specialities and wanted to know if they were worth it haha
Was just wondering as there is some cool societies you can join during med school relevant to certain specialities and wanted to know if they were worth it haha
Yeah there's a few. Definitely go to a few different events put on by these as they can be fun/interesting. And if you are interested by a speciality, you can join the committee but that's not a full on commitment.
What year of medicine are you in right now?
4th but allready passed first half of finals (we split it over 4th and 5th year at Glasgow)
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Paediatrics
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Paediatrics
Which area of the country to work in?
F1/f2 here in Glasgow, Paeds training in Wales (north) if all goes to plan
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I don't really see it as being that much emotional pressure but am used to working in a healthcare environment before I came so sort of just learnt to cope there.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Hospitalised for 2 weeks at about 13 and couldn't move my right arm for 9 months or so after that. got to see a lot of doctors then and was like yeah fair, I wanna do that.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No. Not at all.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I can't imagine myself doing any other career. (Unless I come into a lot of money for no reason, I'd probably still pick up the occasional locum shift but spend most of my time chilling and traveling)
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Scrubs.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Minus 10.
4th but allready passed first half of finals (we split it over 4th and 5th year at Glasgow)
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Paediatrics
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Paediatrics
Which area of the country to work in?
F1/f2 here in Glasgow, Paeds training in Wales (north) if all goes to plan
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I don't really see it as being that much emotional pressure but am used to working in a healthcare environment before I came so sort of just learnt to cope there.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Hospitalised for 2 weeks at about 13 and couldn't move my right arm for 9 months or so after that. got to see a lot of doctors then and was like yeah fair, I wanna do that.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
No. Not at all.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I can't imagine myself doing any other career. (Unless I come into a lot of money for no reason, I'd probably still pick up the occasional locum shift but spend most of my time chilling and traveling)
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Scrubs.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Minus 10.
What year of medicine are you in right now?
3rd
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Not got much clue yet. I know I don't want to do cardiology, surgery or emergency medicine
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Most of it actually (except cardiology bleh)
Which area of the country to work in?
South-east, maybe London at some point
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I actually don't find myself too pressured to be honest (yet, anyway) but if I've seen something upsetting I'll talk about it to my medic housemates or friends which helps a lot
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Wasn't really a specific moment to be honest. I was one of those people who wanted to do it as a kid, then sort of stuck with the idea. There was no particular moment when it changed from childhood fantasy to actual career plan
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
Nope, just me
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I don't know, if I could sing I'd be in musical theatre. But I can't, so medicine it is
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Oh it has to be scrubs. But I'm enjoying House at the moment.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No I haven't
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Not really watched it, but most of the doctors seem to be lacking in probity without consequence, so I'll say 3
3rd
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Not got much clue yet. I know I don't want to do cardiology, surgery or emergency medicine
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Most of it actually (except cardiology bleh)
Which area of the country to work in?
South-east, maybe London at some point
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I actually don't find myself too pressured to be honest (yet, anyway) but if I've seen something upsetting I'll talk about it to my medic housemates or friends which helps a lot
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Wasn't really a specific moment to be honest. I was one of those people who wanted to do it as a kid, then sort of stuck with the idea. There was no particular moment when it changed from childhood fantasy to actual career plan
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
Nope, just me
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I don't know, if I could sing I'd be in musical theatre. But I can't, so medicine it is
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
Oh it has to be scrubs. But I'm enjoying House at the moment.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No I haven't
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Not really watched it, but most of the doctors seem to be lacking in probity without consequence, so I'll say 3
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Helenia
It's relatively competitive for the first stage of training (ACCS), but they haemorrhage trainees at registrar level.
Why so? It's awesome!
Why so? It's awesome!
I can't remember actually, I think it was because the patients couldn't tell them how they were feeling...
Original post by Captain Jack
I thought it would be interesting to get to know our medics a bit better 
so if you feel like it, please answer the questions below:
What year of medicine are you in right now?
3rd
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Still unsure, not surgery, quite open ATM.
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Psych, Endocrine
Which area of the country to work in?
Norn Iron
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Haven't experienced anything.......yet. Haven't really been too unsettled.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
No, it was a decision over a year, not a lightbulb moment.
Is anyone else in your family a medic? sister
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned? medic, wouldn't rule out politics or public health.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
House
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E? No, know someone who did though.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
so if you feel like it, please answer the questions below: What year of medicine are you in right now?
3rd
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
Still unsure, not surgery, quite open ATM.
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Psych, Endocrine
Which area of the country to work in?
Norn Iron
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
Haven't experienced anything.......yet. Haven't really been too unsettled.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
No, it was a decision over a year, not a lightbulb moment.
Is anyone else in your family a medic? sister
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned? medic, wouldn't rule out politics or public health.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
House
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E? No, know someone who did though.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Never seen it
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Above
Original post by Captain Jack
What year of medicine are you in right now?
1st.
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
No clue. Something patient centred.
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
I've not covered enough to decide.
Which area of the country to work in?
Scotland.
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I'm only preclin, so the stresses have been no different to any other student.
So drinking, basically.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Nah. Started wanting to do something with maths and physics, then realised the careers are pretty boring.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
Nope.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
We'll see. If contracts go to **** up here then I can see myself going down a mathsy route. I'm not going to be like most of the applicants on here screaming "I LUV MEDICINE 4 LYF" if it just isn't financially viable anymore.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
24 hours in A and E. Though sometimes it drones on a bit too much about some people's lives.
It's also gets predictable after a while too, but I guess that may be the nature of the speciality.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
Totally.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Never seen it
What year of medicine are you in right now?
1st.
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
No clue. Something patient centred.
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
I've not covered enough to decide.
Which area of the country to work in?
Scotland.
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I'm only preclin, so the stresses have been no different to any other student.
So drinking, basically.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
Nah. Started wanting to do something with maths and physics, then realised the careers are pretty boring.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
Nope.
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
We'll see. If contracts go to **** up here then I can see myself going down a mathsy route. I'm not going to be like most of the applicants on here screaming "I LUV MEDICINE 4 LYF" if it just isn't financially viable anymore.
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
24 hours in A and E. Though sometimes it drones on a bit too much about some people's lives.
It's also gets predictable after a while too, but I guess that may be the nature of the speciality.
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
Totally.
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
Never seen it
As above.
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What year of medicine are you in right now?
4th year
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
I thought I knew, but now I have no idea
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Mostly the academic part
Which area of the country to work in?
I'm quite sure i'm not going to work in the UK
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I like to cook, bake and eat; i've managed to gain 12Kg since starting medical school. I enjoy seeing the look on people's faces when they try the food and desserts i've made, especially when they don't think i'm a good cook.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
No, I always thought I would be a doctor, lawyer or Engineer. There wasn't any "aha moment" for medicine with me. Everyone else thought I would be a politician or a lawyer. My dad really wanted me to be an engineer when I was younger, because he was an engineer and in the company where he worked, the female engineers were paid very highly. I ended up with medicine.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
My older sister
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I have no idea, but i'm certainly open to change
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
I don't own a TV and I don't follow any medical TV shows
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
I haven't seen it
4th year
What area of medicine do you work in or want to work in?
I thought I knew, but now I have no idea
What area of medicine do you find most interesting?
Mostly the academic part
Which area of the country to work in?
I'm quite sure i'm not going to work in the UK
How do you cope with the unique emotional pressures of being a medic?
I like to cook, bake and eat; i've managed to gain 12Kg since starting medical school. I enjoy seeing the look on people's faces when they try the food and desserts i've made, especially when they don't think i'm a good cook.
Do you remember the moment you first decided to do medicine? If so, what was it?
No, I always thought I would be a doctor, lawyer or Engineer. There wasn't any "aha moment" for medicine with me. Everyone else thought I would be a politician or a lawyer. My dad really wanted me to be an engineer when I was younger, because he was an engineer and in the company where he worked, the female engineers were paid very highly. I ended up with medicine.
Is anyone else in your family a medic?
My older sister
Do you always plan to be a medic, or do you have a secret second career planned?
I have no idea, but i'm certainly open to change
What is your favourite medical profession TV show or film?
I don't own a TV and I don't follow any medical TV shows
Have you ever appeared on 24 hours in A&E?
No
On a scale of 1 (not real) - 10 (completely real), how realistic is Holby City?
I haven't seen it
This thread is even more interesting than I first thought it would be - it's really interesting reading about why you all chose this career, what you enjoy and don't etc. Do you ever think about this yourselves?
It's much more varied than I had thought with lots of different interests and influences. The only commonality is that none of you have watched Holby City!! lol perhaps that's the secret? People who watch Holby City don't go into medicine, while those who don't, do!
It's much more varied than I had thought with lots of different interests and influences. The only commonality is that none of you have watched Holby City!! lol perhaps that's the secret? People who watch Holby City don't go into medicine, while those who don't, do!
Original post by Captain Jack
This thread is even more interesting than I first thought it would be - it's really interesting reading about why you all chose this career, what you enjoy and don't etc. Do you ever think about this yourselves?
It's much more varied than I had thought with lots of different interests and influences. The only commonality is that none of you have watched Holby City!! lol perhaps that's the secret? People who watch Holby City don't go into medicine, while those who don't, do!
It's much more varied than I had thought with lots of different interests and influences. The only commonality is that none of you have watched Holby City!! lol perhaps that's the secret? People who watch Holby City don't go into medicine, while those who don't, do!
When I came to uni what really surprised me is how it takes all sorts to be doctors.
Not everyone is super confident or super loud.
Some people in your first year you will wander how the hell they got through the interview process etc.
But realistically everyone has different interests and medics are just as varied a bunch as any other career if not more so in some ways.
People will always surprise you throughout your career/degree and I personally love that about medicine.
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