Final year med student wants to be a plastic surgeon...

[br0k3ns0u1]

I went to India for my elective to do ITU/acute medicine but due to numbers I ended up on plastic surgery.

At first I was kinda p'd off! My views changed rapidly however. Plastics covers all the things I want in a job combining art, new science, practical skills, psych issues, teamwork etc. It was my first exposure to the specialty and I wish I had known more about it in previous years at med school.

I need advice... All my jobs in F1/F2 are based around acute medicine (what I wanted to do because I didn't know what I wanted to do!). Will this put me at a disadvantage? I intend to get some experience in a burns unit after finals to see what plastics is like here in the UK. What sorts of things should I be doing during the foundation programme to help my application to ST jobs?

I haven't felt this enthused about medicine in a long while - I went out and got myself a copy of Grabb and Smith, and I've been reading it, and enjoying it, which is strange!

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

Rosh.

[yazoo]

Burns unit experience - excellent. Are you in the same hospital for FP? If so, get a cracking audit set up. And explain to the local plastics team that you have seen the light!

Some FPs might let you swap one or more jobs if you explain - esp if you scored well and they have jobs that become available because of fails etc. Free for all swapping is NOT allowed, but a visit to the FP tutor in your chosen FP hospital might just help.

Also, you can arrange tasters in plastics in both FY1 and 2, do the right courses, an audit or two. Speak to the local plastics educational lead - they will advise.

[br0k3ns0u1]

Thanks Yazoo. I wanted a change of scenery so I'm working in a new area. I don't think my hospital does plastics but I will see tutors when I start and get their advice.