My inspiration to pursue medicine is to work with families to promote positive mental and physical health, fostering the growth and development of the future generation.
To experience working within healthcare settings, I worked as a GP receptionist and shadowed the GP. Ensuring all patients with varying levels of anxiety or uncertainty feel welcomed from the moment they step into the surgery taught me the importance of empathy and effective communication in providing quality care. Witnessing the lead GP assessing vulnerable patients and adjusting dosages through the EMIS web system to monitor and optimise treatments underscored the significance of modern technology in supporting consultations. The lead GP emphasised the importance of preventive medicine with routine assessments, which taught me healthcare is not just treating illness but also promoting overall well-being and disease prevention. Liaising with the HCA to organise these routine assessments taught me how effective teamwork in an MDT requires collaboration to handle complex patient cases, leading to successful operations. In my school captaincy role, I have had to develop related teamwork skills of leadership and effective delegation. Alongside my placement, I developed complementary skills as a youth volunteer for a year, creating and maintaining relationships with children based on mutual trust and respect. I gained insights into their situational behaviours, strengthening my emotional intelligence and adaptability, helping me to prosper in any paediatric or CAMHS environment. Similarly acting as a VI Form Mentor, supporting the personal development of students across the lower school requires empathy and relatability. I feel in these roles I genuinely made a difference in young people's lives, giving me a sense of purpose and direction for my future.
Research underpins better understanding. Foucault's 'Madness and Civilisation' sparked my interest in mental health's particularity and led me to focus my first research project on the optimisation of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. My EPQ - assessing biological against psychological approaches in psychiatry - allowed me to refine my evaluative skills, time management, and selective application of research; key skills to continued professional development and lifelong learning. To further explore the interdisciplinary nature of the field, I listened to Dr. JTF Robert's talk on bioethics at the KES Health Conference, and arguments on whether prostheses are body parts. Its subjective nature fascinated me as varying arguments led to alternative perspectives on medical device regulation, though a singular law is required. The talk allowed me to develop a stronger appreciation of the role of medical ethics. Evaluating complex medical situations within a holistic framework is essential for doctors to make informed decisions and adapt to unique patients' needs. In answering 'Is Modern Living Harmful to Human Health?' with Caius Explore and exploring the impacts of social media and devices on adolescent health, I learnt to weigh potential benefits against practical risks, considering patient physical, mental, and social well-being.
As a fine artist and calligraphist, I hone motor skills and thorough attention to detail, while developing the ability to visualise complex concepts, creativity, and innovative problem-solving - my skills have proven useful in providing canvases as humanitarian fundraising resources. I prioritise work-life balance as the gym maintains both my mental and physical health.
My experiences have furthered an innate desire to apply my academic abilities towards the care of others within the medical field. Not only will a medical degree equip me with the expertise to treat and diagnose, but it will also mark the start of my lifelong journey and commitment to leading research and innovation in a dynamic, interdisciplinary vocation.