Two down, three to go

Hello to you! At the time of writing I have just started back on placement after a lovely Christmas period off. It has been my last ever one as a student. This time next year my time-off might not be as generous. Before I broke up, I had just finished my second really great rotation at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in East Lancashire. I was part of the first cohort of Lancaster medical students who undertook placements here, and I can really recommend it! The hospital itself is bigger than the hospitals I’ve been attached to in previous years. I’ve really benefited from seeing how another hospital trust works and also being exposed to a wider number of clinical conditions. I spent the first placement based within the Emergency department which, can be, one of the busiest in the entire country. I had the choice of the whole department to get involved in. It was difficult to balance my time between the Urgent Care Centre (minors), Majors (Emergency) and the resuscitation bay (severely unwell). I learnt a lot from this attachment and I got to experience the stress and pressure of the Emergency department first hand.

For my second placement I was attached to a colorectal surgical team. This was my first of two student-selected (SAMP) rotations. I chose this one because I wanted more experience in General and Colorectal surgery. I had a really enthusiastic supervisor who allowed me to scrub up in theatre, assess patients in clinics and involve me in ward rounds. I was treated with a lot of respect and was made to feel like a valid member of the team. I will miss the place.

As I start 2017, and the 2nd term of my final year, I’m excited to find out what the next few months have in store for me. There are 3 months to wait until I find out which part of the country I’ve been allocated to as part of the FPAS application process, and 7 months until I graduate. It’s scary not knowing where I’ll be as a Foundation Year 1 doctor come August. But, at least I don’t have to worry about passing my final exams!

Settling In – The First 6 Weeks

It’s hard to believe that it has only been 6 weeks since that oh-so-exciting first day. My flatmates were my main concern – what are the chances of 8 complete strangers getting along? This was followed closely by – wait, hold up a sec. I’ve been working my socks off to become a med student for years and now I’m here, is this what I want and will I be able to do it??

Thankfully those questions were swiftly answered. Fresher’s week melts away any fears about not making friends. Standard cliché line but – everyone is in the same boat, and Lancaster make sure that you have a great time. Flat reps: one thing that I didn’t know about beforehand – so listen up. When you arrive, each flat is assigned two reps (older students) that take you under their wing. They aren’t like controlling parents sticking their noses in, they’re a bit like cool older siblings who are the pool of all Lancaster wisdom and can answer everything; taxi numbers, which bus to get or luckily for one of my flatmates even how to replace a snapped door key at midnight.

For the anxious parents out there, the reps also make sure you get home okay during the first week. Sounds silly now – but trust me, when you’re having a fab time at the paint party (100% would recommend) and realise you’re covered in UV paint, it’s 2.30 am and you’re in a totally new city (maybe had a few too many), you’ll be glad to know there’s someone looking out for you.  My personal highlight of fresher’s was the silent disco – I challenge you to name something more fun/cheesy than dancing the night away to the likes of Mr Brightside and all the S Club classics.

Staying with the guidance theme, as a 1st year med student we are assigned a medic parent (second year) and a medic grandparent (fourth year).  We meet with them during fresher’s and they are there to help with absolutely anything. It’s a brilliant way to get to know the upper years and all the secrets, tips and tricks on how to survive and thrive.

Moving on to the course – it’s definitely lived up to expectations. I absolutely love it, especially clinical skills. We spend two hours a week at the hospital and have very interactive sessions. The first time I used my stethoscope to learn how to examine the abdomen, that’s when it felt very real. Luckily for me, my flatmates are more than willing for me to practice on them. Unluckily for them I’m not quite the doctor they think I am yet and unfortunately don’t know the cure for the dreaded fresher’s flu. (Naps. Naps solve everything. I didn’t tell you that though.)

I’m also a part of Teddy Bear Hospital, a society run by med students who go to local schools and lead sessions with children, aiming to reduce anxiety and fears about hospital. The kids bring their ‘sick’ teddies in and then we work through diagnosis and treatment. (Let me tell you, you soon rediscover how fun toy thermometers and bandages are.) It’s something both fun and meaningful and really gives you some perspective, especially if you’ve been in a little study bubble all week.

I could write pages on how fabulously crazy the past month has been; I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks bring.

 

9th November 2016