Work Experience
Before diving into some of the things you can do for your application, I think it is important to talk about what the point of work experience is. You can think of work experience as the things you have done to gain a realistic insight into the healthcare profession you want to pursue, and most importantly, make sure it is the right thing for you. If you do work experience in a particular field and then realise it wasn’t what you originally thought it was, that is not a waste of time, but rather a beneficial experience as it helped you realise it wasn’t right for you and you can divert your efforts onto other fields that interest you- much better to have that realisation before you’re on the course!
So here are some suggestions of things you can do. Although a lot of these are medically related given my own experience, all of these suggestions can be transferred into whatever healthcare degree you are applying for. Please remember that when reflecting on your personal statement, it really is a case of quality over quantity. You want to reflect on what you have done and why it makes you suitable to study the course rather than just have a long list of everything.
Books
In recent years, we have seen a flurry of incredible books written by healthcare professionals and scientists so try finding books on topics that interest you. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:
This is Going to Hurt - Adam Kay reflects on his time as a doctor in the NHS and gives a raw and realistic insight into life as a doctor
Dear Life - written by Dr Rachel Clark, a specialist in palliative medicine.
Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre explains how the pharmaceutical industry works and its connections with the medical world.
Podcasts
BMJ Sharp Scratch is a podcast run by the Student BMJ talking about all the things that medical school doesn’t teach you.
RSM Health Matters. In this podcast, the Royal Society of Medicine covers a variety of topical issues within healthcare such as mental health, digital medicine and AI.
The Waiting Room With Dr Alex. Dr Alex has conversations with healthcare professionals across the MDT about the realities of their work. This is an excellent podcast for expanding your knowledge of the MDT.
Documentaries and Educational TV Programmes
Unfortunately, shows like House and Gray’s Anatomy do not count as a form of work experience. However, there are lots of documentaries available that give an accurate insight into healthcare and can help you gain clinical insight when going into hospitals isn’t possible right now.
Hospital - this show currently available on BBC iPlayer illustrates the effects of the pandemic on secondary care.
GPs Behind Closed Doors - this show on Channel 5 lets you see GP consultations - this is a great substitute for sitting in on GP consultations.
Online Courses
Brighton & Sussex Medical School Virtual Work Experience. Even if you aren’t applying to medical school, everyone can gain a lot from this online course as it covers topics such as mental health, care of the elderly and communication skills.
Observe GP. Created by the Royal College of General Practitioners, Observe GP is an interactive video platform providing insights into the role of a GP and the wider primary care team.
FutureLearn courses. FutureLearn is a platform with endless online courses on any topic you could think of. Their healthcare and medicine section nearly 200 courses on topics including nursing, medicine, nutrition and pharmacy.
Volunteering
Volunteering enables you to gain an array of transferable skills such as communication and listening to teamwork and leadership whilst also giving back to your local community. There are lots of ways you can make a difference remotely:
Be a telephone befriender for a charity
Give free tutoring to younger students
Volunteer for a mental health charity- contact your local charities and see how you can help
Part-time Jobs
Many of the skills you can develop from volunteering, can also be gained from having a part-time job. If you currently have or had a part-time job, don’t be afraid to discuss what you learnt from it and how it will make you a good healthcare professional. Although you may not have thought about it before, there will have been plenty of times where you have had to solve problems, adapt your communication style and work in a team- all of which are crucial for a successful career in healthcare!
Remember, whilst you’re engaging with everything, keep a diary to write your reflections from the things you read, watch, listen to and do. These reflections will be invaluable when it comes to writing your personal statement and preparing for interviews. Finally, remember to check out all the amazing free resources we have here at Future Frontline. From topical affairs to life as healthcare students, there is lots to explore on our website so you can gain a better insight into the array of healthcare careers out there and pick the one that’s best suited to you. We also have our podcast (‘Future Frontline’ on Spotify and Apple Podcasts) where we have interviews with doctors, clinical researchers and much more!