Students get a ‘Taste of Medicine’

Friday 22 July 2022

Fourteen sixth form students have gained first-hand experience of a career in medicine though a course run by the Medical Specialist Group.

The course runs twice per year to align with the differing work experience weeks of the schools. Students can attend ten different sessions covering areas such as surgery, the emergency department, adult medicine, paediatrics, oncology, obstetrics and gynaecology and ophthalmology.

Eight students from Elizabeth College, Ladies’ College and Blanchlande College attended the one-week taster in June followed by six students from the Sixth Form Centre in July.

Course leader and consultant paediatrician Dr Clare Betteridge said the course routinely inspires multiple students to pursue a professional career in the industry: “There is no other course in the UK like it as far as I am aware in terms of the range of experience that we provide at no cost to the student."

“These students are key to the future of healthcare in the island. We wish them every success in their medical careers, and we very much hope that ultimately they will come back and work with us on the island. We’re here to support them in any way we can during their journey into medicine.”

Pictured: The course is delivered each year by the Medical Specialist Group.

The six students from the Sixth Form Centre undertook the course during the week commencing July 11. One of the students, Melissa Hunt, said one of the most memorable moments was witnessing the birth of a child via a caesarean section.

Elisabeth Gardiner also attended theatre, and watched a knee operation: “Seeing the prep for theatre as well as the operation was really interesting and the consultant talked us through what was happening at each point - this was really fascinating."

Many of the students said they hoped to become medical professionals themselves, citing the course as positive and illuminating to the variety of experiences provided by the industry.

Georgia Cunningham Lomax said teamwork was critical: “When we're being treated, it's very easy to imagine the one person you're interacting with as the person who's treating you, but on the course I had the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see the network of plans and meetings and consultations that hold medicine together.”

Pictured (top): L-R: Georgia Cunningham Lomax, Melissa Hunt, Dr Clare Betteridge, Keira Bain, Thomas Rohland, Louis Thomas and Elisabeth Gardiner.