TSR Doctors' Society Part II

Thanks! Wow sounds like you've got a lot on your plate well done!
If you don't mind me asking, which uni did you go with for PGCert and how are you finding it?

I'm currently worried about the whole CV portfolios and securing a post in London after FY2.

I've worked really hard during med school to get things published which I have achieved but unfortunately not recognised by Pubmed.

I'm still very indecisive with regards to a speciality that I want to pursue, and as a med student, only attened one or two conferences.

Is it really competitive to secure a post in London, say CST/CMT?

Also, is it too late to start working on my CV from a scratch as F1 or do I have to do F3 to build my portfolio?

I did one in FY1 alongside a 1.5 hour commute. It was not much work at all tbh - its a social science distance learning qualification and its very different to studying medicine! I actually found that frustrating in many ways.

To date I don't think its affected any of my career applications, and I didn't find it particularly enjoyable so kind of regret it. It may yet come in handy though I suppose.

In my opinon PGCE are like a tick box exercise, unlikely you'll learn anything............... but that's my opinion. It may help with career progression depending on what you want to do.

I should really stop procrastinating and actually register for a Med Ed PGCert at some point but the posts above are strongly confirming my suspicions that I probably won't enjoy it much and I dislike the idea of doing it just to prove I've done it.

I actually want to blow all my money on an overseas DTM&H instead

I actually really enjoyed mine (although it was a PGCert in clinical education instead of medical education) - it did help that it was fully-funded by my trust - it was quite practically-based (lots of sim) and I feel really helped me develop as a clinical teacher

Can i ask, how did you get it funded by your trust? Is there a link to trusts/hospitals that potential fund the PGCE Clinical Ed? thank you

I also did a PGCert in Med Ed in F1 at Cardiff University. I actually really enjoyed it, I quite liked getting to do a bit of social science/psychology reading, it was a nice change from medicine. Not sure how much impact it actually had on my teaching though as it was all distance learning, think I have learnt far more about teaching from just doing a lot of it and getting feedback from students. Personally F1 was a great time for me to do it as I didn't have many other commitments outside work (lived alone, no family commitments) but slightly wish I'd waited a bit as now I am in specialty training and there is funding for it. Had to take out a loan to do mine which I paid quite a lot of interest on, slightly wish I had spend that money on something more enjoyable e.g. travelling and waited until I was eligible for funding. Don't think its had much of an impact on my career, looks quite good on my CV and may have helped me get some teaching opportunities but think I could have probably got those without it. Hoping it will come in handy later on when looking for jobs with a teaching component.

I actually want to blow all my money on an overseas DTM&H instead

East Africa DTM&H? Had my eye on that for a while...

Had my vaccine appointment today. Interesting seeing things from the other side

Do you think we will be able to still wear scrubs in the next coming months?

Hospital I'm going to is a covid hospital atm so I'm assuming I will still be in scrubs come august. But our current hospital has changed to everyone wears scrubs - including all the consultants. It's been such an all medical team change of clothing that I can't see anyone wanting to go back to "clinical clothes" - unless maybe for clinics.
I would be very reluctant to stop wearing scrubs (so comfy) and I think they do look professional.

What do you think? Are scrubs here to stay?

Do you think we will be able to still wear scrubs in the next coming months?

Hospital I'm going to is a covid hospital atm so I'm assuming I will still be in scrubs come august. But our current hospital has changed to everyone wears scrubs - including all the consultants. It's been such an all medical team change of clothing that I can't see anyone wanting to go back to "clinical clothes" - unless maybe for clinics.
I would be very reluctant to stop wearing scrubs (so comfy) and I think they do look professional.

What do you think? Are scrubs here to stay?

I did one in FY1 alongside a 1.5 hour commute. It was not much work at all tbh - its a social science distance learning qualification and its very different to studying medicine! I actually found that frustrating in many ways.

To date I don't think its affected any of my career applications, and I didn't find it particularly enjoyable so kind of regret it. It may yet come in handy though I suppose.

Personally I hate surgical scrubs. The pants don’t fit my waist properly (need some elastic to feel securely) and the pockets are awful.
We have scrub like uniforms at my current trust which are better and have proper pockets which are good. But I’m ready to go back to normal clothes tbh