For those who have survived 3rd Year......

**The phoenix** · 11-07-2011, 10:18 PM

Hello

I'll be going into the 3rd year this September at Barts, does anyone have any survival tips, comments, things they perhaps would have differently,challenges etc ?

Would be lovely to hear from anyone (especially 'mature' mature students..ahem..ahem!) who would like to share their experiences.

Cheers

The Phoenix
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**Everhopeful** · 28-07-2011, 01:13 AM

Third year is great! Your first chance to get on the wards and learn some good stuff! My suggestion would be to introduce to everyone on your first firm, from the ward sister to the ward secretary, and of course the team of doctors you'll be supervised by. Offer to do as many of the blood tests and practical procedures as you feel confident doing. Get an F1/2 to watch your first one or two then get on with becoming proficient. If you struggle, dont panic, just find some help. Basically if you take on lots of jobs for the team then they will have more time to teach you. Being a mature student can help..the patients tend to let you do more, and if you're organised and can spot things to help the team and offer to do things then you'll fit in just fine. I would say that clerking a patient fully, the whole thing..full history, full examination, at least two or three times a week will get you learning stuff as fast as possible. If you take a history and then go and look up all the bits you don't know you'll find yourself at the end of the year in exams going "oh I remember Mr soandso who had that" and you'll just find the clinical scenarios easier. Being on the wards full time for the first time is a bit intimidating but if you force yourself to say hello to everyone and follow anyone that looks like they're going off to do something interesting then they'll soon spot you're keen. If you're somewhere like a DGH you can always ask if you can go to MAU and clerk a couple of patients there to develop those skills. I found a mixed response to this..if they're too busy (or are concentrating on the finalists there) then that's fair enough, but if you want to go in later in the evening or at weekends you can often find someone to present a case back to. They usually pick you something nice and benign so you don't end up with ACS or something equally tricky!
Oh and equipment wise, obviously take your steth everywhere..and there are never any neuro bits on the wards so if you can stash away a pentorch etc that can be handy. I (being super geeky) got a pocket opthalmoscope and that was really good for asking diabetics to look in their eyes.
Best of luck..third year is awesome..favourite year of the course so far..

**Everhopeful** · 28-07-2011, 01:16 AM

Btw, check out that book on Clinical Skills by Randall and Feather. Has all you need..I've just got it and on reading it I can't believe how much of it I didn't get taught or understand during 3rd year! Ha ha!

**The phoenix** · 31-07-2011, 12:57 AM

Hello Everhopeful !

Thank you for your most informative reply ! I was getting a bit worried 3rd Year was a nightmare and no one wanted to comment !
Some excellent tips, no doubt I shall put to use. You are obviously enjoying your 3rd year and that is really encouraging. I think being 'mature' mature definitely does help with patient/staff interaction (I'm no spring chicken myself).
I will check out the text book you mentioned-thanks !
Wishing you all the very best for the rest of the course, hopefully we may meet some time !
Best Wishes
The Phoenix
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