Pupils enjoy a taste of medical student life

Sixth formers from across east Kent had a taste of life as a medical student on a clinical placement– including the chance to simulate suturing, keyhole surgery, and taking blood.

The MedStart4U taster days were organised by the medical education department at East Kent Hospitals, working with GP colleagues from the east Kent training hub.

Dozens of pupils took part at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

They were able to try their hand at a range of clinical skills, as well as learning about a typical day in the life of a medical student and foundation programme doctor, and getting advice on their university application.

Sixth formers from a wide range of schools across east Kent, including Herne Bay High School, Ursuline College, Sandwich Technology School, Goodwin Academy in Deal and Towers School in Ashford, spent time with medical students, training doctors and GPs at each site in an interactive day designed to give them insight into a career in medicine. The students were able to learn, from participation in mock assessment stations, about the vital importance of communication skills as well as learning about key clinical skills.

Aishwarya Suganthi, 17, who attends Simon Langton Girls Grammar School in Canterbury, said: “It was a really great day. I particularly enjoyed the mock examination session and it was impressive to see how much the medical students knew.

“It really showed us what life would be like as a medical student and there were a lot of helpful tips.”

Callum Howes, 17, a pupil at Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, said: “I enjoyed being able to talk to the medical students and I found it all very interesting.

“Opportunities like this are really hard to come by so it was good to be able to take part.”

Susan Kennedy, associate director of medical education, said feedback from sixth formers had been overwhelmingly positive.

She said: “These taster days offer a great insight into what a career in medicine involves and are always very popular with the students.

“It gives our medical students the chance to share what they have learnt – both about the process of applying to study medicine as well as their clinical skills – and they act as mentors for the day. Sharing their journeys helps demonstrate that medicine is an option for all.

“We all really enjoy meeting so many young people at this exciting time in their lives. Some are already focussed and passionate about their future careers, others are undecided and looking for guidance.

“These taster days give them the chance to have their questions answered and to open their minds to the opportunities available in medicine.

“We wish them every success in their future and hope we will see some of them in our hospitals and local GP practices in a few years’ time. I would like to say how grateful I am to all students and colleagues who give their time to make these days such a success.”

MedStart4U runs once every year at at least two of our sites. For more information visit https://meded.ekhuft.nhs.uk/study-and-train/medstart4u/