1) Why did you decide to study medicine? I never knew I truly wanted to be a doctor until medical school.

The diversity and challenging nature of Medicine was appealing to me, but the workload and unsocial hours put me off! However, I quickly realised I could combine my interests in science and working with people, and I loved the fact medicine is called a science and an art . I couldn t think of anything else I d like to have a go at, so here I am. All that aside, now that I m actually studying medicine I cannot see myself finding anything else so rewarding and have absolutely fallen in love with the complexities of the human body. 2) Can you share some things that you wish someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? I was told the hardest part of medical school was getting in. That s a lie. 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? At A-levels it was a big decision for me to choose sciences, as I had always been interested in arts, music and English. I ve always been interested in photography, fashion and advertising so in a dream world I imagine myself working in central London at a big PR firm. 4) What is your biggest motivation? The thrill you get when you ve done something to help somebody. That only comes with understanding, knowledge and empathy. This makes me want to be the best I can be, and keeps me working hard. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? General practise has always interested me. I love the way you can get to know a patient over many years, as well as getting to know their parents and children. You become their family doctor ; see children grow up and have families of their own, whilst always maintaining a role where they turn to you in times of need. As a hospital doctor you treat an illness but you never get to know the person behind that illness. In general practise you have to know everything about general pathology, as opposed to specialising into one small subdivision of the body. 6) What has been your most difficult module so far and why? Surgery is something that has never been appealing to me. I personally do not see the attraction of cutting; and although you see instant results I prefer the idea of medical intervention. The atmosphere in many operating theatres is still very hierarchical with the old-school method of teaching medicine, which has unfortunately made me avoid watching Scrubs as much as possible! 7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? On my psychiatry placement, I met a newly-admitted patient who had become very distressed over thoughts about killing his wife. I sat down with him and spent a whole afternoon talking through his thoughts and feelings. He treated me with the respect he gave to doctors, and seemed to cling on my every word, which made me leave the consultation feeling anxious about any advice I had given, and the responsibility held. The next day he approached me and said he really appreciated the time I had talked to him, and had got many things sorted in his head. This was the first time I felt like it was me who had made a difference to somebody, and was treated with authority and importance. It left me wanting to work harder and make sure I can make the same kind of difference to others. 8 ) What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? When I was on paediatrics a 14-year-old boy with Aspergers and severe anorexia needed some blood taken. However he hated being touched by strangers so four of us had to hold him down while he screamed and writhed, tears streaming down his face as a cannula was inserted. If he had been two years older he could have refused treatment, leading to his potential death. It raised the issues of patient consent and the ethics surrounding age limits and mental capacity. 9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) the wishful thinking version

Setting up clinics around the country for improved sexual awareness, IV drug use and HIV help; in easily-accessible areas where people are unaware or unable to attend the already-available services, so that it actually makes a difference to people s thoughts, actions and lives. b) the perhaps slightly more realistic version Becoming a GP and helping out in the GUM clinic. I also hope to maintain a balanced lifestyle outside of medicine; having the time to enjoy hobbies, friendships and hopefully a happy family life. 10) Can you share some tips/advice for others? a) wanting to study medicine Do it. Don t think it will be easy, you have to be prepared to put in some hard graft when your friends are out partying; but it will be rewarding and satisfying. There s no other undergraduate degree that will let you delve into other people s lives in their hardest and most vulnerable state, and be able to leave at the end of the day saying you know what, I ve made a difference to someone today , everyday. b) already studying medicine? Don t forget who you are. I have found that it s very easy to forget your own point of view when you re surrounded by people shouting theirs. It s also very easy to focus on just your exams, instead of remembering the main goal is being the best doctor you can be. Don t just jump through hoops the medical school tell you to do, do what you need to do to make a difference. You ll get there. Kate Markham University of Sheffield

1) Why did you decide to study medicine?

I used to be a teacher but I feel I was always meant to study medicine. I haven t moved that far though, because doctor means teacher and I still enjoy and find time for teaching in my medical career. 2) Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? To find out about student life and how to integrate within each university. 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? I would be a vet or an artist although my husband says I m a born food critic. 4) What is your biggest motivation? To make my family proud. When I do graduate I will be the very first member of the medical profession in my family. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? There are a number of things that interest me at the moment psychiatry, global health, and general practice. I ll be happy in a specialty where I m making a difference and that has opportunities to work and travel abroad. 6) What has been your most di cult module so far and why? I have yet to cover the difficult modules. I have heard that paediatrics is by far one of the hardest modules. So I am looking forward to the challenge. 7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? Having the opportunity to present a global health poster at a refugee and asylum seekers conference in York. This was close to my heart as I have a keen interest in refugee & global health issues and I enjoy writing and raising awareness whenever I get the opportunity. 8 ) What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? Being stuck in Scunthorpe with morning sickness unable to stomach anything but orange juice! 9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) the wishful thinking version I m too practical for a wishful thinking version at the moment. I will be happy to have qualified by then and begun the process of becoming an expert in the field whatever it happens to be. b) the perhaps slightly more realistic version A caring doctor irrespective of what career path I follow. 10) Can you share some tips/advice for others a) wanting to study medicine To make the training experience more enjoyable don t treat it like a rat race. b) already studying medicine? No two people are alike, set realistic goals, fulfil them, and don t forget to have fun along the way! Also don t sweat the SSCs clinical skills and exam grades are more important.

This week Akshay Sharma has taken up the challenge of answering why he wanted to become a doctor. Find out why by reading on. Don t forget if you d like to take up this challenge, whether you re a recently qualified doctor, a student in training or even planning to take a medical degree click here to take the challenge.

1) Why did you decide to study medicine? I always knew for sure that I wanted to pursue science. Medicine was never my first choice but I wasn t inclined to do physical sciences. This tilted the balance towards life sciences. 2) Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? I wish someone had told me that it involves a whole lot of responsibility on your shoulders to add those two letters of a clinical doctorate in front of your name. Before I got into medicine, I only knew of people saying Wow when they heard I wanted to pursue this. No one ever told how difficult it can get to deliver bad news to a patient or to take decisions about someone else s life. 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? I always wanted to pursue a career in research. So had it not been medicine, I probably would have veered off to a PhD and a scholarly academic/research career. 4) What is your biggest motivation? Knowing that your efforts have made a difference to the patient you are involved with. There is nothing more gratifying than a patient thanking you for helping them get over their health crisis. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? I am most interested in oncology. Cancer is one field where the doctor needs to offer support in more than medical ways. The ultimate challenge lies in walking that fine line where the patient trusts your efforts and intentions to be the best for him And at the same time you and your peers are satisfied that the patient is indeed getting the best he can. Cancer and death have long been regarded as synonyms and if someone can make a difference to that, nothing can be more rewarding. 6) What has been your most difficult module so far and why? Surgery and allied branches have been the most difficult modules for me so far. I find them very monotonous and dry. I beg to differ from a lot of my colleagues who find surgery most gratifying but I believe surgical resection is a last resort when all the modes to save the organ/tissue have failed. In my humble opinion, we should strive to better the medical practice so much so that there is no need to wield a knife on anyone, ever.

7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? Ironically, the most memorable positive moment happens to be during my rotations in Pediatric Surgery. We had a 4 year old patient on whom we had performed a surgery to correct the cleft lip and palate. I had assisted in that surgery and that kid was allotted to me for follow up. The nasogastric tube put in that kid s nose was an irritation for the poor child and she would not let anyone else adjust it for her but me. This was something that flooded me with emotions and a new sense of responsibility towards the patient. 8 ) What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? Watching autopsies during my forensic medicine rotations. 9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) The wishful thinking version I want to complete a pediatrics residency, a sub-specialty fellowship in oncology and then work across the globe with different organizations. I also wish to be associated with Doctors without Borders and the Lance Armstrong Foundation helping people throughout the globe. I wish to help set up bone marrow donor registries across the world so that no one ever suffers for the want of a bone marrow transplant. b) The perhaps slightly more realistic version At least try and complete the academic goals and then pursue oncology in a research oriented clinic-academic environment. I hope to work towards advocacy and promotion of better health practices and availability of appropriate medical aid to everyone. 10) Can you share some tips/advice for others a) wanting to study medicine b) already studying medicine? Just one word of advice, don t treat medicine as a subject, it s not. Let it be a passion. Don t try to become the best encyclopedia of the world by remembering the facts and figures given in the books, instead try and be a good human being, the rest will follow.

This week s TLS challenge has been completed by Suzi Elyas, 5th year Medical Student at QMUL.

1) Why did you decide to study medicine? A career which challenges my academic as well as emotional intelligence; what more could I want? It has already challenged me in so many ways and I ve grown and matured from many angles which I know I can only thank this course for. I decided to study it not only because I knew I could benefit from it, but that I could input into it my own personality and offer my skills too. 2) Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? I wish someone had told me that it requires a few hours of studying a day. I wish that people hadn t of been so, oh wow, medicine; you re clever and instead, oh no, medicine well done, but you need to work hard . I wish I could have been warned that education would go from being interactive and spoon-feeding to do it yourself although it s much harder-kind-of-education. It was hard for me to transit between the two. Also, medicine is a lot to do with politics and character. If you can play the game well, you will do fine in medicine. 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? I would have been a dentist. I shouldn t really say that because of the private rivalry between the two subjects being commonly studied on similar grounds and debatable on which is hardest to study. Dentistry is nice in terms of hours and pay, but it doesn t involve the interaction between staff and patients which medicine does. 4) What is your biggest motivation? My biggest motivation is being in hospital and being able to share in the diagnosis/management of a patient. Also, it s nice knowing that I have made an input and that my skills are of use. I also like to observe the doctors in action and see myself doing their job in a few years. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? I am most interested in Pediatrics. The reason for this is not simply because I like children because they are the opposite of cute and nice when they are sick, but because I like the interaction of working with the whole family. I like the challenge of trying to get the children to open up to you. I like the fact that one can offer support in an emotional way, as well as medical. 6) What has been your most difficult module so far and why? The most difficult module for me so far has been not a module as such, but a section of medicine I have learnt that the hospital work will require a certain character one which is eager to learn, yet aware of the political and strategic skills needed in getting what you want. It is as much about communication as it is about knowledge. It can be tough dealing with the different personalities and requirements of the medical team, particularly as you do not get to know the people before dealing with them as the medical team is so large and dynamic. However, I am learning so much from this new environment and I hope to be more humble and skillful as I grow older. 7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? The most memorable moment in my studies was when I clerked and examined a patient in hospital and came up with a diagnosis different to the one made by the medical team. I enjoyed it because I was able to debate with the doctor the correct diagnosis. That really did make me feel like I could make a judgment, and discuss it in a manner that showed respect to my colleague but concern for the patient.

8 ) What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? My worst horror story is too horrible for me to put down in detail. However, I will tell you that within it I didn t ask what my instinct told me to ask, (mainly out of embarrassment) but I merely followed what I was taught to ask by the medical school. I learnt that to be successful in medicine, you have to be yourself, in a balance with what you should or shouldn t do (within the law obviously) and to follow your heart. Sometimes in medicine, politics and professionalism can take over, and one must remember that the patient is a person too. 9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) the wishful thinking version b) the perhaps slightly more realistic version That is a funny question. In 10 years time I hope to be in a position of a Paediatrician teaching a group of students and learning from them too. However, a more realistic version would be that I would be sitting at a desk with the less physically tiring job of a GP. That s not because I am a lazy person and don t use my Wednesday afternoon s off for sport (but more so with my chair), but for the fact that it s very tempting having being only a 9 to 5 job with minimal physical demand. Apparently only 1/10th of students now wish to be GPs, but 50% will become GPs. 10) Can you share some tips/advice for others a) wanting to study medicine b) already studying medicine? For those wanting to study medicine now, I advise you to prepare yourselves adequately for the medical interview and if you want it badly enough, you will get it. Then to prepare yourselves mentally that from now on, you will have to train yourselves to work hard because it will pay off, and to be independent for your own learning. For those of you studying medicine now, don t give up; organise your notes, and enjoy your studies: remember this is for life.

Mana s TLS 10 Questions

by The Lancet Student on Wednesday, 15 September 2010 at 10:15 This weeks 10 question challenge has been submitted by Mana Rao, a 2010 Medical graduate from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences in India.

1) Why did you decide to study medicine? After a year of serious thinking, I made my mind to pursue Medicine because I found it both challenging and interesting to learn about the human body, its functions, what goes wrong with it and then what you have to do to set it right! If I can make a small difference in someone s life, it gives a deeper meaning to my own. 2) Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? I wish I knew in more detail about the prospects after MBBS. There are just so many choices it is hard to pick one! 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? If not Medicine, then probably Dentistry or nursing. I knew I wanted to make my career in the healthcare industry. If not healthcare maybe I would have been a travel guide, like the ones who host television shows! 4) My biggest motivation My parents and the constant support they provided me with throughout medical college. I wouldn t call it my biggest motivation, yet Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness teaches you a very important lesson when everything goes wrong, only the right things are left to happen. To sum it up, this line has always been an inspiration : Where There is a Will, there is a way. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? I find Internal Medicine interesting and hope to pursue my residency in the same, in the near future. I enjoyed being a part of the Medicine consult team during internship, and the myriad of cases you get to see during clinics right from Neurological to endocrine to cases of heart disease. 6)What has been your most difficult module so far and why? I found Osteology tough during first year. It was difficult to memorize the origins and insertions of muscles on each of the bones in the body. 7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? Internship was the most memorable phase of MBBS watching my patients smile gave me a lot of satisfaction. Indeed, service to mankind is a service to god. 8 ) My worst horror story Lunch break after dissection session on the second day of medical college!

9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) The wishful thinking version I want to complete an Internal Medicine residency, a sub-specialty fellowship and then work with Doctors without Borders. b) The perhaps slightly more realistic version I see myself with more family responsibilities ten years down the line. Professionally, I hope to have a successful practice with some smiling patients who take good care of themselves.

10) Some tips a) For those who want to study medicine: Folks, be prepared to devote your entire lives to this profession. It is extremely demanding and requires a lot of patience. There will be times when you have to forget everything else in the world and just DO YOUR PART. I don t mean to scare anyone, but if you want to be a doctor or anywhere in the healthcare industry that involves direct patient contact you have to think for others and be a little service-minded. Nevertheless, it has been a memorable journey so far, taught me many important lessons and shaped me into the person I am. b) For those studying medicine: Study well and remember the 3Ds Determination, Dedication & Devotion. Each one of you has a long way to go. Good Luck!

Tessa Fraser is a fourth year medical student at Peninsular medical school, UK. She has accepted this week s TLS challenge to complete the 10-point medical school questionnaire. Read on to find out more, and don t forget to look here for more information on how YOU can take up the 10 question challenge.

1) Why did you decide to study medicine? When I was at school, the latin teacher encouraged us to take up her subject by saying it s useful if you want to be a doctor . I didn t want to study latin and at the time I remember thinking, well that s fine, I definitely don t ever want be a doctor. Oooops! How things changed. I really enjoyed biology and was fascinated by the workings of the body. That combined with the opportunity to work with people and do something worthwhile made me want to study medicine. 2) Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? Think you can work hard? Think again. 3) What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? I have to admit it would probably be something related. I d be maybe a midwife or a nurse. Or perhaps indulging my inner geek and working in a microbiology laboratory somewhere. 4) What is your biggest motivation? I want to be a good doctor. One who really knows their stuff. My brother has just started work as a junior doctor and talking to him makes me realize what a lot of responsibility lies ahead. I want to be ready for that, even though I m not sure you ever can be. 5) What are you most interested in so far and why? I think the whole reproduction thing is amazing. It s just incredible that what starts off so small that you can t even see it actually turns into a human being. To have a job that allows you to be part of that process would be amazing. For me, that s part of the appeal of obstetrics and gynecology. 6) What has been your most difficult module so far and why? I find neurology quite tough, mostly because there are so many different components to remember. The basal ganglia, spinal tracts and the vast array of different clinical signs it s a lot to fit in my brain. 7) What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? There have been many moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Standing over the operating table and watching open-heart surgery for the first time had to be pretty cool. But then again, perhaps I m looking back with rose-tinted spectacles that was a day that I managed to answer most of the consultant s questions correctly something of a rarity. It was also the first time I survived in theatre without feeling the need to sit on the floor with my head between my knees. 8 ) What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? Watching a caesarean section for the first time and seeing the two surgeons stretching the incision between them was a bit of a shocker. Probably by the look of horror on my face, I was quickly reassured that it provides for better

healing. To me though, it looked like they were simply having a tug of war either side of the poor woman s abdomen. I was quietly thankful for the screen that was blocking her view. On a more serious note, seeing a patient lying on a bed in intensive care due to the side effects of their medication has to pretty horrifying too. 9) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a) the wishful thinking version A top surgeon, with a decent career ahead of me. Helping to save the world with my part in some global health project. And also fostering a lovely little brood of children at home. b) the perhaps slightly more realistic version Stumbling along with my training, struggling to balance work and family life. But hopefully having fun all the same. 10) Can you share some tips/advice for others a) wanting to study medicine Work experience do lots of it. And when you do it, sit down and the end of the day and spend five minutes thinking about it. Has there been anything you ve seen that surprised you? Made you change your mind about something? Spend a bit of time thinking about these things and it will make writing your application that bit easier. Plus a bit more interesting. Also, when it comes to interviews, keep your cool. b) already studying medicine? When someone asks you on the ward if you d like to take bloods or put a cannula in say yes. Provided you re supervised and you ve been given training, what s stopping you? There is always going to a first time and putting it off just makes it worse. Put yourself out there!

Jonathan, 2nd year medical student from the University of Liverpool has accepted this week s TLS challenge to complete the ten point medical school questionnaire. At the moment he has just started working as an editor for The Lancet Student. Read on to find out more, and don t forget to look here for more information on how you can take up the ten question challenge. 1. Why did you decide to study medicine? I decided to study medicine because it s just something that I have always wanted to do. I know that might not be the best answer to such a question but I guess since mid-teens I could not see myself fitting into any other profession. At school I had a deep interest in the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, as well a deep dislike of the humanities. Furthermore, I have always had a passion for helping other people. Carrying out research projects such as the Nuffield Science Bursary, and work experience in fields such as oncology further enhanced my desire to pursue a career in medicine. For the past 2 years of medical school, my passion for medicine has only increased and I have never looked back. Apologies if this sound likes a stereotypical UCAS application letter! 2. What profession would you be in if you weren t in medicine? If I wasn t studying medicine I would like to be an investment banker in Canary Wharf. 3. What is your biggest motivation? That is a difficult question as there are so many things motivating me. I want to be the best that I can be so that I can provide the finest care for people whose lives I will be responsible for in the future. 4. What are you most interested in so far and why? Having been the surgeon s year representative for 2 years, I can clearly say that I have a great interest in surgery. One of my fondest memories at medical school was assisting a consultant surgeon in an operation where the doctor let me hold the superior mesenteric artery. As I held it, I could feel the artery pulsating strongly in my hand. It was the most amazing feeling that I have ever experienced and this certainly enhanced my interest in surgery. 5. What has been your most difficult module so far and why? Genetics because it is an area of medicine that I am not particularly interested in. 6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? a. The wishful thinking version: Hopefully a happy consultant with a family in London. b. The perhaps slightly more realistic version: A professor flying out to medical conferences (first class, all expenses paid) with his own series of medical documentaries. 7. What is the most memorable positive moment in your medical studies so far? Working at The Lancet and having the opportunity to communicate with medical students across the globe about major health issues.

8. What is the worst horror story in your medical studies to date? Carrying out work experience over summer and realising that one of the staff members working in the post mortem department keeps a pet tarantula in his office. 9. Can you share some things that you wish that someone had told you before you applied to study medicine? Always be prepared for anything and everything. 10. Can you share some tips/advice for others? a. Wanting to study medicine: If you are interested in a carrier in medicine I strongly advise that you pursue some work experience in hospital as soon as possible. Carrying out work experience will help you to decide whether this really is the profession for you. Also read some journals and articles that are medically related to develop your background knowledge of major health issues. One of the best places to find such information is on The Lancet Student Website! b. Already studying medicine: Don t work too hard, work smart and have fun as well. Enjoy those 5 to 6 years because they will be the best years of your life. (That is until you graduate of course).