What do you think of it?

[DScollon]

I've included some of my own work experiences in my Welcome message. What have the rest of you done? How has it helped? Was there anything missing you might have liked to do?

[DScollon]

Hey, someone must have some views on the value of work experience. 80 future doctors can't all be wrong.

Even before this year's highers are over, the new group has started to arrived. Claire (our first entrant from St Andrews in Carntyne) and (Natelie from Our Lady's High in Cumbernauld) have both started this week - Claire is following the regular programme and Natelie looks as if she's got trapped into being this summer's Monkland's "slave". Later in the summer Anne-Marie is coming from Banff - don't think she's the furthest travelled - we had Rebecca from Thirsk in Yorkshire two years ago (as for Husam wh came from Libya the same year - he's cheating because he was already in Med School there, but he's coming back this summer).

Despite the rumours, you don't have to be female, blonde and willowy (although it may help). But, of the first 12 to book places this summer, there is only one boy. Come on boys, the girls are taking over the medical profession!

[crumpet]

well i'll have to dye that hair by monday elliott! :lol but i don't think i can diet that fast. edinburgh says it is 60% girls ha ha we're taking over! well i'm getting an idea of what to expect especially after speaking to scott and selina (who really enjoyed herself and made me quiet envious!). so see you soon love and hugs kirsty

[crumpet]

well i'm on my work experience right now! i'm going to cardiology in about 10mins. i've really enjoyed myself so far and if you are coming soon my advice is..........hmm................. all i can think is wear comfy shoes! there is nothing to worry about just stuff to look forward to really! Bring a pen to write up what you have done that day and if you are fussy you can bring your own lunch. well i better go and find elliott so he can introduce me! byse bye
kd

[andrewbaillie]

I wa just wondering if anyone can answer a few questions about the work experience programme.
I'm interested to find out what stuff you do or have done, how long you do it for and how much you enjoyed it?

Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough?

[elliottsimpson]

The core programme includes visits to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, the Respiratory Laboratory, Diabetic Liaison Service, X-Ray, Theatre Suite and Accident & Emergency. However, many departments, e.g. Renal Unit, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Medical Receiving and Coronary Care Units, have helped with the programme and some students have also helped with special audit or research projects. Most people find that a week (either consecutive or taken as single days spread over a month) is enough to confirm their intentions to study medicine, to complete their UCCAS forms and faced up to the interview process. Some come back for more. Others have joined the Nurse Bank or found other part time jobs in and around the hospital.

The main thing is to fit the programme to suit the individual (without grinding the hospital to a halt!).

[relliott]

there are also other hospitals that if you pester them enough they'll let you in. I spent a week in the pathology lab at hairmyres in 4th year as pretty much an extra pair of hands making up slides of samples and stuff. In the summer between 5th and 6th year I went back to hairmyres in the biochem lab and every now and then out to other departments, like cardiology. Again in the labs I was an extra pair of hands doing some of the checking in samples, doing up the barcodes and even getting to shout at doctors down the phone when they sent a known infected sample with Hep. B without the safety warning!!!

Elliott also put me in touch with paediatrics at monklands and I visited them for a couple of days.

The week long schedule is fine, but you can still add to it by taking the initiative. The experience really helps and it builds self assertiveness:cool:p

[elliottsimpson]

of the first 12 to book places this summer, there is only one boy. Come on boys, the girls are taking over the medical profession!I was interested to see this post from two and a half years ago - last week I was interviewing a batch of 12 candidates for Glasgow - 11 were girls. Next week I'm interviewing another dozen - guess what? There's only one boy next week, too.

Come on boys, the girls are taking over.

[Damien]

I think I'll start a war here... :evil

Go to Nextgen chat - "The increase in female medical students is going to be a big problem for the NHS"

:evil :evil :evil :evil :evil

Damien :evil

[elliottsimpson]

oh oh oh what a lovely war !!

[Devlinator]

Actually it has the potential to be a huge problem as females are more likely to take on flexible training (which the nhs is SUPPOSED to be making more available but i wouldnt know) and the EWTD, so there could effectively be a decrease in the number of worked man hours by doctors.

[Pud]

the number of worked man hours by doctors.

people hours? :D

[andrewbaillie]

people hours? :D


It could have been 'man' as in 'man-kind'! :nono:

[Pud]

It could have been 'man' as in 'man-kind'! :nono:

lol, i just thought it fitted in nicely with the theme of dev's post!

[elliottsimpson]

As I recall the saying is "man" embraces "woman"

[elliottsimpson]

which is how it should be :lol