I believe medicine would allow me to combine my interests and passions, using scientific knowledge to improve people’s lives this is why I have been volunteering for my local hospital. As thanks for this I was invited to the 70th anniversary celebration of the NHS at Westminster Abbey earlier this year. There I came to understand the appreciation we have as a community for the NHS as well as hearing the topical issues affecting society like the future of our healthcare system. Attending such a prestigious event confirmed how personally rewarding and vital doctor’s are, and that my choice to study medicine is right for me.

 

To this end I have attended a medical summer school, completed work experience at my local hospitaI and school as well as doing my regular hospital volunteering. I have gained many insights such as the importance of having a courteous bedside manner after listening to a distressing account of a patient’s mistreatment. This led me to research the Medical Act (1858) in the GMC’s booklet: Professional Behaviour and Fitness to Practice. It sanctions any doctor found to be demonstrating misconduct. Studying the code of conduct taught me that doctors are in a position of privilege that should not be abused. I have decided to defer my studies to allow me to travel by teaching in Africa this will expand my horizons with regard to culture and healthcare provisions, and believe this experience will be invaluable for my further studies.

 

I have had some practical experience as well, in a previous seasonal job at an ice rink I saw some accidents on the ice like fractures and epistasis. My interest in preventing unnecessary injury to the general public lead me to pursue a first aid qualification at school, now I can implement techniques like bandaging correctly to help people where appropriate.

 

Through various exchanges with medical students and doctors whilst on work experience, volunteering and from reading the autobiography ‘This is Going to Hurt’, I have learnt the dedication and toll it takes on individuals in doing such an emotionally demanding career. Whilst doing work experience (shadowing nurses on a surgical ward) I witnessed this resilience first hand when the nursing staff and the palliative care team worked together with a patient on end of life care. From this I became really interested in palliative care so I undertook a course on Futurelearn where I discovered the differences in the levels of care given throughout Europe including the InSuP-C project. I have also undertaken two online courses regarding the study of cancer again thanks to a combination of my work experience and the A level course. Furthermore, by doing a regular hospital trolley round for the last three years I have been exposed to the diverse range of disciplines and specialities medicine covers, for example dialysis and dermatology. I have also been introduced to a variety of different illnesses, like sepsis which can be fatal if not spotted, but does not get the publicity of other illnesses, especially as it develops after a primary infection.

 

I also spent a week at a first school where I worked with young people, some with special needs. Whilst there I witnessed an incident caused by a child with ADHD that endangered the safety of the pupils. The teacher dealt with the situation in a calm manner and this made me interested in the strategies instigated to deal with these situations. A quiet zone can be created, for example. Doctors often have to remain level headed in stressful situations and I feel this occasion mimicked that.

 

I am also involved in AYB, my local arts youth board, where I can share my opinions based on my background in dance, discussing topics with my fellow committee to ensure that there is a range of arts opportunities for my community’s age group. I believe arts are extremely helpful in building a healthy community both physically and mentally and I’m passionate about trying to reach out to all.

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Offer: Nottingham