Work Experience

[LucyA1]

Hello

I'm looking to apply for graduate medicine in 2009/2010. I was wondering if someo

ne could help me in terms of work experience which is likely to be required.

Firstly a little bit about me which might hopefully explain things a little bit more.

I've had Type 1 diabetes since I was 5 (I'm 29 now). For a long time having diabetes was very boring for me and it was not very well controlled. This wasn't really helped by having a series of drs who were not great (not really bad, but not outstanding). I was then lucky enough to move and ended up with a really great diabetes consultant (Dr P) who is absolutely outstanding. As a result I started to manage my diabetes much better and consequently felt much better - much more energy, more flexibility in my life etc and became for the first time genuinely interested. I then started to think that I would like to do this for other people - help them in the same way that Dr P helped me and one day at one of my twice yearly appts with Dr P I mentioned this. He said had I ever considered becoming a dr etc ....anyway, to cut a long story short, I started to consider becoming a dr, and specialising in diabetes. Dr P organised for me in his hosp a three week work experience, which was absolutely amazing. I got to go to different clinics, go on ward rounds, go to the junior dr and dept meetings. I was involved quite a lot and (one advantage to having diabetes) the drs and nurses often asked my view on things. He then organised a similar thing with a different hosp in another area (where I have family) through a friend of his so that I would have something different to compare it to.

So...basically my work experience is six weeks work experience in diabetes during which time I did learn a lot plus quite a bit of work with diabetes charities (but in a patient capacity).

My question is - is this likely to be sufficient? I see that quite a few people have extensive experience doing voluntary work in hospices etc and whilst I could at a push do something like this (very demanding job) it would be quite difficult for me.

Any advice would be gratefully received!
Thanks
Lucy

[Dr Noodle]

Sounds like you have great experience A lot of 'applying to med school' books say that voluntary work in the community is required as well as hospital experience. Might show your dedication to helping people. You have plenty of time, there's no harm in starting now plus it'll be good experience to work with patients yourself.

[icecream]

vol work doesnt ahve to be a lot of commitment, you can do maybe an hour a week, or even an hour over 2 weeks from now on.
as long as u are consistent and show that your are committed, and perhaps importantly get a feel for what a career or working in health care is like. *i think*

[hodiurnal]

The more the better, especialy for a gep course as eg SGUL have a scoring system and are unlikely to give you an offer below the '3' score. check the prospective student web pages for more details. I think its important to show consistency right upto your interview even if its one day every so often in the clinical environment. Give it a push and pack lots in, its so competitive. Maybe a regular saturday job filing notes or on Dr. P's reception. But I KNow what you mean, its easier said than done when running a full on life too!

[bizzybee]

I've done 3 different placements in terms of 'caring' voluntary work.
But does anyone know how many references the uni's ask for from these care centre? if any?

Just out of consideration, I should select and ask someone at each centre if they would mind vouching for my time there.

What do you think?

[chicken66]

LucyA1 - i'd say with pressure on your time you probably have a better opportunity to get experience....you'll have to think more creatively! And i'm sure that somewhere in your job you could tease out something which is useful in the field of medicine too (communication skills?!)

Bizzybee - i dont *think* they get references from your voluntary experiences...well that's from my experience

[bizzybee]

Thanks Chicken66.
That's what I thought - but may as well cover that eventuality - just in case.

[Elvis03]

LucyA1 I'm at warwick and they have a nationalist specialist centre for diabetes, nationally and internationally known - may be a good place to check out when applying.