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Medicine work experience

Hello. I would like shadowing work experience in a clinical setting, like a hospital or GP setting - I want to be able to shadow a doctor and shadow or get involved with patient interaction. This would be a great talking point for med interviews and also I want to see what it’s like firsthand to have a medical career.
I’m based in Newcastle, however on the Newcastle Upon Tyne hospitals website the medicine work experience for this year became fully subscribed so fast I wasn’t able to get an application through. Since it’s so competitive, what would be the best way to obtain clinical work experience? If anyone has been through the process it would be especially helpful to get advice firsthand. Thank you.

Reply 1

Anonymous9795

I’d just go to receptions of clinics and say that you hoping to shadow health care professionals maybe print out a letter with you contact info what you’re hoping to get out of it and you’re availability etc

Reply 2

Darcey08374

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7566384&p=100288396

Hey, not related directly to where you are locally but there’s some useful stuff on here about books, extracurriculars which you can do- not directly work experience but still things which will help you gain valuable skills whilst looking for proper work experience.

Another things I would suggest, again I’m not from Newcastle but I assume it’s the same as where I live, ring up all the local GP surgeries and ask about work experience, or you could email. I would also do the same with all the local pharmacies even if they are small. Potentially could do this with all the care homes as well. There may be a LOT of nos but you only need one yes- I spoke to someone once who had rung up over 150 people asking about work experience!
Another thing you can do is potentially email/ring local clinics like sexual health clinics/charities/mental health clinics things like that, again not directly clinical but still seeing the caring side of the profession.

Another thing that worked for me was the private hospital. I’m not sure about Newcastle but most areas have private hospitals and these are sometimes less booked up as not really thought about. I did mine at one and it taught me so much and gave me a very difference experience to my NHS placement!

Again, I mentioned in the thread linked about books- I recommend these whilst waiting for clinical experience.

Email email email, it will take so many tries but exhaust every option!! Even dental practices may be useful, I’ve spoken to med applicants who did this and saw a lot of transferable things.

Worst comes to worst try and get some volunteering or online WE. Most NHS trusts offer volunteering of some sort (depending on age) and while it’s not directly shadowing a doctor you meet patients and gain lots of skills. Also I found that if I spoke to the people I was on shift with they would usuall let me watch some procedures/follow them around !

Good luck!

Reply 3

phillip_a9000

I agree with what the above posts say. The only thing that I'll add perhaps is that while clinical experience is certainly very useful, it's more about what you can reflect from it. Don't worry if you can't secure experience shadowing in hospitals, GPs etc as you can get just as good experience from the wider healthcare system. I volunteered monthly in my local hospice and that gave me plenty to talk about for my interviews. Wish you luck :smile: