Medicine Personal Statement #05
My fascination with medicine has developed gradually through self-reflection and my past experiences during hospital appointments and a recent surgery I had as a patient. Knowing that doctors save lives and relieve the suffering of countless patients has been fundamental in attracting me to this role.
A placement in primary care at Kirkholt Medical Centre showed me the importance of simple routine checks. For example, foot checks are vital to those with diabetes which I was unaware of and had asked the HCA more about. Reduced blood flow causes damage to nerves in the legs and patients may develop foot problems, which can result in severe infections that lead to amputation. During some home visits while shadowing a GP I saw two patients who were both suffering from kidney problems. One continued to fight their illness, while the other accepted being bed bound. The thing they had in common was being able to rely on their doctor, who calmly listened to them and then offered their medical opinion considering each patient's context. This showed me that an attentive and empathetic doctor earns the trust of their patients which is pivotal in providing diligent care.
Whilst on placement at Salford Royal's CCU I saw a different side to medicine that is not as accessible to the public. The scene felt quite overwhelming with patients attached to different monitors and having cannulas and arterial lines in. It took me some time to adjust to, but only helped me gain more insight in this role and how much I am yet to learn. I realised how key teamwork is, with the doctors and nurses interacting with other members of staff including dieticians and physiotherapists to provide patient centred care. Attention to detail is pivotal as staff double checked medication, monitored patients' progress, and considered how they could titre down dosages. This was also mirrored in the checks performed prior to surgery listing the patient's name, what procedure they are in for, what medication they are on and other details to avoid mistakes.
Volunteering at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) has helped me to develop my communication skills. For example, I spent time with an elderly patient who was drifting in and out of consciousness. A nurse explained to me that the patient was very confused and so I spoke with him in a calm and reassuring manner. I also volunteered at a local library homework club for six months, working with young children. This experience taught me how important it is to be clear and concise. Children need things explained to them in a simple manner, for example by using different analogies. It showed how important it is to be able to adapt my communication to suit the other person's needs. As a doctor, it will be important for me to explain things to a patient without using medical jargon.
I attended UCL's online lecture series on venous thrombosis and the effects of climate change on health. I entered a competition run by Imperial College and made a poster about Raynaud's Disease. I researched replacements for current medical vasodilators which often have unpleasant side effects. I explored ways to treat the condition by using natural vasodilators such as the flavanols found in dark chocolate. Being on my college's student council taught me the power of working as a part of a team to achieve a common goal. We planned several events organising dates and timings, advertising and contacting others. We split the work among ourselves as separate workstreams. This approach has parallels to the way a multi-disciplinary team work in providing coordinated care for patients. Though we could run into problems, by coming together as a team we were able to arrive at a solution.
From the experiences stated I recognise that being a doctor requires resilience as well as being a lifelong commitment. I believe I have the attributes needed to succeed in this role due to my ability to empathise as well as my academic achievements and organisation.
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This personal statement received interviews at Cambridge