My Shirt Smells of Spectrum HBV

Closure

2009-06-19T13:11:00.002+01:00

Shit Happens

To you all

In view of recent examination results, I shall now be unable to continue this blog in its present state. There is little I can muster on Medical experience when I am no longer an Undergraduate on a MBChB course.

As of today, I will no longer be posting on this blog. I shall not remove the blog from the Internet, as I hope applicants will find the posts at the top of this page useful.

I am more than happy to take emails on admissions questions for the foreseeable future, through underappreciatedmedicalstudent@gmail.com

I thank you all deeply for your readership that inspired me to keep writing, it has been an enjoyable experience and I appreciate the subscriptions and viewing figures.

Good luck to you all, applicants, undergraduates and Doctors. Maybe one day I shall see you on the wards in capacity as a Doctor. Until then, I donn my hat, wipe the tears down and bid farewell to the NHS.

My very best wishes and kindest thoughts to you all.

UAM

What Books do I Need?

2009-06-13T18:41:00.002+01:00

Just for those applicants curious about which books they would need for Year One, these are the books I absolutely couldn't live without throughout Phase One. Other books I bought if needed, but usually used the library. Buying books is an expensive business so always think carefully if you want to shell out £25 for a 200 page book on poorly toes.

Core
GANONG - Review of Medical Physiology
UNDERWOOD - general and Systematic Pathology
Gray's Anatomy
WALLER - Medical Pharmacology and therapeutics
KUMAR & CLARK Clinical Medicine

Specialist
TITUS - The Nervous System
CROSSMAN - Neuroanatomy

DOMINICZAK - Flesh and Bones of Metabolism
SMITH - The Digestive System

Mythical Books that are Supposed to be Good but I've Never Used
MARTINI - Human Anatomy and Physiology
MARIEB - Human Anatomy and Physiology

SNELL - Clinical Anatomy
GUYTON - Textbook of Medical Physiology

Word of the Week #6

2009-06-13T18:38:00.000+01:00

Negligent

(adj.)

Describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown

Medical Applicants #4 - Mitigating Circumstances

2009-06-12T12:45:00.004+01:00

Dear Underappreciated Medical Student

What happens if I have mitigating circumstances for my AS Levels that have reduced my performance. What do I do?

Most Universities have their own mitigating circumstances policies. Search their websites. Medicine is fiercely competitive and before I continue, you must remember the following:

Under no circumstances will your offer be changed

"Mitigating circumstances" is pretty much defined as any significant event/circumstance that will impede the potential performance of the candidate in forthcoming examinations.

For GCSE/A Level, these can be relatively small, such as having bad hay fever; a broken arm; witnessing a traffic accident the day before the exam, as well as rather more serious things - such as death of an immediate family member. From exam boards, you may get up to a maximum of 25% extra time, and up to 4% more depending on your performance compared with your predicted grades, and circumstances declared. Check exam board websites.

If you do have circumstances you feel affect your performance, you should inform you school/college, who should then inform the relevant boards on your behalf (Check that they do this).

Regarding University Admissions
If you are applying with less than satisfactory AS Grades and you have valid mitigating circumstances, you should inform the Universities you are applying to. This should be done in a separate letter, addressed to the appropriate person (the head of Medical Admissions or equivalent thereof). You must attach any relevant paperwork, such as doctors notes. This evidence is vital in backing up your claim - otherwise it will usually be ignored.

I don't advocate writing anything about any mitigating circumstances in your Personal Statement. Your school/college may mention it in superficial detail in their reference but ideally put a positive twist on it, for example "...in the run up to examinations, xyz happened. Taken against this background, his/her achievements seem all the more admirable..."

The University will take a sympathetic ear to proven mitigating circumstances and they will not be mentioned at interview.

Quickly
1. Inform the examination boards as soon as possible - ideally before examinations

2. Inform the Universities you are applying to as soon as your application goes in

3. Back up any claims with as much evidence from doctors/lawyers as possible. Family references or statements will not be accepted

4. Do not mention your mitigating circumstances in the Personal Statement. It wastes space

5. Do not mention your mitigating circumstances at Interview

6. Don't fabricate or exaggerate any circumstances

Medical Applicants #3 - Grade Requirements

2009-06-08T12:13:00.003+01:00

A question always always always ALWAYS asked on forums and amongst applicants is "Can I study Medicine if I haven' got and A* in blah blah blah."

The tables below should summarise all that. Hat tip to Hygeia.

None of this should detract you from reading prospectuses and admissions policies yourself. Alot of the application rests on you looking things up for yourself.

For GCSE Requirements click here

For ALevel Requirements click here

Medical Applicants #2 - UKCAT Resources

2009-06-08T11:52:00.005+01:00

Registration opens: 01 May 2009

Testing begins: 07 July 2009

Registration deadline: 25 Sept 2009

Last testing date: 09 Oct 2009

UCAS application deadline: 15 Oct 2009

07/07 – 31/08: £60 for those taking the test in the EU, £95 for other candidates

01/09 – 09/10: £75 for those taking the test in the EU.

For more information on the UKCAT: http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/

UKCAT is a test of aptitude not necessarily academic achievement, testing mental abilities and attributes for people applying to Medicine. The test takes two hours and includes five sets of multiple choice questions.

These links cover all the "sections" of questions - but not necessarily content. Remember, there is no syllabus for the UKCAT. The test is hard, but it is designed so everyone is set on an even level before taking the test.

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/verbaltest.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/Free_practice_Verbal.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/Practice%20Graduate%20Aptitude%20Test1_Verbal.htm

http://www.shldirect.com/verbal.html

http://www.psychometric-success.com/faq/faq-sample-verbal-critical-reasoning-questions.htm

http://www.psychometric-success.com/faq/faq-sample-verbal-comprehension-questions.htm

http://www.excitingfutures.com/verbalreasoning.htm

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/verbal.php

http://money.guardian.co.uk/work/psychometrics/0,1456,589733,00.html?R1=&R2=&R3=&R4=&R5=&R6

http://europa.eu/epso/pdf/verbal-tests_en.pdf

http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/uploadedimages/Numerical%20Reasoning.doc

http://practicetests.cubiks.com/verbal.htm

http://www.onexamination.com/ukcat/PracticeQuestions.aspx?tid=UKCAT

http://ukcatpracticeonline.com/homepagelinks/SampleVerbalReasoning.html

http://space.businessballs.com/paulnewton/resources/Psychometric%20Success%20Verbal%20Ability%20-%20Comprehension%20Practice%20Test%201.pdf

http://irisharmy.shlsolutions.net/VMG1.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/numerical/Free/aptitude_test_2.html

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/numerical/Free/aptitude_test_1.html

http://ukcatpracticeonline.com/homepagelinks/SampleQuantitativeReasoning.html

http://www.shldirect.com/numerical.html

http://www.psychometric-success.com/aptitude-tests/numerical-aptitude-tests.htm

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/numbers.php

http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/ukireland/applicationprocess/Problem_Solving_Test.pdf

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/mathstest.htm

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/mathstest2.htm

http://www.excitingfutures.com/numericalreasoning.htm

http://mlsc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/numeracy/nrpt1_98_1.pdf

http://www.stationcrafts.net/maths180/shlnumericalreasoning.pdf

http://practicetests.cubiks.com/numerical.htm

http://www.aptitudetestsonline.com/quizzes/freenumerical.asp (password: demo)

http://irisharmy.shlsolutions.net/NMG1.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/

http://www.mathsrevision.net/gcse/

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/spatialtest.htm

http://www.shldirect.com/inductive_reasoning.html

http://www.psychometric-success.com/aptitude-tests/abstract-reasoning-tests.htm

http://www.psychometric-success.com/aptitude-tests/spatial-ability-tests.htm

http://www.psychometric-success.com/faq/faq-abstract-reasoning-tests.htm

http://www.testgrid.com/demo/sampleabstractq.tg

http://ukcatpracticeonline.com/homepagelinks/SampleAbstractReasoning.html

http://www.practicetests.co.uk/Launchtest.asp# (email/name required)

http://discovery.axiomsoftware.com/abstract/abstract.php (email/name required)

http://www.morrisby.com/content/candidates-support/faqs/sample-morrisby-profile-questions/test-samples/page1.htm

http://www.morrisby.com/content/candidates-support/faqs/sample-morrisby-profile-questions/test-samples/page6.htm

http://www.morrisby.com/content/candidates-support/faqs/sample-morrisby-profile-questions/test-samples/page7.htm

http://www.morrisby.com/content/candidates-support/faqs/sample-morrisby-profile-questions/test-samples/page8.htm

http://irisharmy.shlsolutions.net/DIT6.htm

http://ukcatpracticeonline.com/homepagelinks/SampleNonCog.html

http://www.personneltoday.com/quizzes/2/integrity-test.html

http://www.outofservice.com/morality/

http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/

http://www.testgrid.com/demo/samplecompetencyq.tg

http://www.testgrid.com/demo/samplepersonalityq.tg

http://irisharmy.shlsolutions.net/OPQ32i.htm

http://peoplemaps.com/questionnaire.php?refAffiliateID=28&refTypeCode=reseller

Medical Applicants #1 - The Basics

2009-06-08T11:20:00.006+01:00

A sense of reality
The most important thing in applying for Medicine in the UK. If you know you aren't going to be the best-suited applicant to all your "ideal" Universities, think hard about getting a good spectrum into your application for your choices. In other words, don't just be arrogant and so confident in your ability that you only apply to the Russell Group of Universities, Oxbridge and the "London Triangle."

Start early
Your Personal Statement looks best when you can already show you've taken steps toward experience before you even put in your application. Getting work experience sorted in the summer holiday after your GCSEs is ideal and works to your advantage. For applications for work experience, you will usually need to write a small statement on why you want to do it. This is very similar to your "Why do you want to do Medicine" question. This is a big hint - start writing your Personal Statement as this is a good opportunity to "try it out."

Starting early gives you lots of time to draft and redraft your Personal Statement. Importantly, it also allows you time to get lots of experience in caring/clinical environments. This is very important - it takes so much stress off your UCAS form that you can focus more on your grades.

Experience
If you read the University perspectuses for Medicine, you will notice phrases such as "work experience recommended" and variations thereupon. This should be read work experience essential. I cannot emphasise enough how vital more than one placement and some ongoing volunteering is when it comes to deciding whether your application is sucessful or not.

You should look at some or all of the possibilites below (and these are just a few):

Voluntary Observation Work Experience (aka "Work Experience") in a HOSPITAL
Voluntary Observation Work Experience in a GP Surgery
Volunteering at your local Hospital (most will have a volunteering department - search their websites)
Hospice Volunteering
Healthcare Assistant
Volunteering at an Old People's Home/Respite Home
Anything in a clinical environment

If you are volunteering (and I strongly suggest this is what you do in addition to the odd placement), then make sure it is ongoing - in other words, if you had to write it down in the Personal Statement, you could say you started in {month} and you continue to do that. This is why starting early is important.

In summary for that - "Why Start Early?" because it shows committment, dedication, and self-motivation

Academic Reference
Unfortunately this is of great importance in your UCAS application. I say "unfortunately" because if your School/College/Tutor is an arsehole then you have to really work at it to get what you need. That is (almost without exception): Predicted AAA, Good character reference, Good academic reference.

From personal experience, where my college refused to predict AAA and wrote what I'd class as an instant-rejection reference, the following can be done.

Provide the teacher(s) writing your reference with character references from people who you have done work experience with, coordinators of any societies or clubs outside of your college/school, or the person in charge of Volunteer services wherever you are doing that. So long as you are dedicated to whatever you do for the Voluntary Services they will write you an absolutely gleaming reference and say pretty much whatever you want them to say.
Speak to teachers/tutors who know you well. Get them to have an input into the writing of the reference.
Ask! Ask for anything! Ask if you can have the predicted grades you need. Be able to explain why you want to study Medicine and why the rest of your application will be sucessful.
Ensure that the school/college take into consideration what your other references say. Speak to the person who has the "final say" as it were. If this is the Headmaster, get an appointment and have a good talk, especially if he/she doesn't know you overly well (don't forget, you may need to turn on the charm offensive here).

UKCAT
This can be the deciding factor in your application. It is almost impossible to prepare for this as you would prepare for your ALevel modules. There is a good course run by Kaplan which does the BMAT preparation - worth investigating.

There are several resources available with sample questions. Despite what UKCAT say, do look at these - it will help you adjust to the type of question they ask, but you can't "learn" the answers.

See this post on the UKCAT for some resources.

Next up is some Myth-Busting from some questions I've had by email and PM.

Twitter

2009-06-07T10:29:00.005+01:00

Dear Underappreciated Medical Student

Would you start using Twitter like the Manchester Medic? [...]

This new fangled technological nonsense has me baffled sometimes. Much like the CCTV age, especially in Hospitals, Twitter serves to inform the entire world of your life events and leave you open to stalking. If I were to sign up to Twitter, how about some of these for my first updates:

Is having a poo
Has had a poo and is now sure that pain wasn't Colon Cancer
Is cleaning the bathroom

It's things like that (I assure you entirely fictional - no poo was harmed during this blog post), I don't think the world needs to know.

My Space and Facebook statuses are much worse. Let's merge them into one and call them, as a good friend did just after it became global in 2005, "My Face." Then you may see status updates such as:

Is sat on My Face
Has got 682 friends on My Face
Wonders if he should write on Ben's Face

Of course, don't be like one friend of mine, who got so confused with My Face that the below was his status update. Needless to say it got much attention

.
"...I'm possibly going to a boys [sic] house for drinks and willy touching. But who knows? I'm not even sure I like him. What about your good self? xx"

Word of the Week #5

2009-06-07T10:22:00.000+01:00

"Ash Cash"

Money that Junior Doctors get by signing cremation forms.

Don't even ask how I came across this one!

Word of the Week #4

2009-06-01T12:49:00.004+01:00

"FBUNDY"

Fucked, but unfortunately not dead yet

For those at the Medical School in Manchester, the "F" could possibly stand for something else, if "BUNDY" is read as a name...

Year 2 SSC - Poster

2009-05-29T15:42:00.003+01:00

This is more informative than an attempt at humour...

In the second year, one of the assessments is the "Student Selected Component." In year one this takes the form of a literary review of a title of your choice out of about 400 - which I found quite interesting. Year two, you are split into groups of six and must work together to form a poster with title of your choosing. It covers all the "Strands" which are Body and Disease, Health and Illness, Cells and Tissues, Organs and Systems, Molecules and Membranes, Doctors in Society, Psychology, Epidemiology.

We have actually had quite a long time to finish them (since before Easter until about four weeks ago) and print them off as A0.

I was slightly pleased with how ours had turned out, smugly comparing it to some of the others dotted around the place, with witty titles such as "Digesting Colon Cancer" and "The Diabetic Foot - its no Walk in the Park"

We also had to Peer Assess...again. A good thing about this assessment is the viva part - you are asked questions on the poster and your answers can add to your marks. We got asked three sets of five minutes' worth of questions by three lovely people, two of whom seemed rather disinterested and had unpronounceable names.

It's a unique experience, working together to attain a common goal. Some people in the group contribute more than others, some have outside priorities which interrupt the study schedule, but no matter what, we still finished on time and it looked goooooood.

The topics ranged from the mundane such as "What is the function of cAMP in [something]" to a very informative poster on Cannabis which seemed to include a little bit more information than you'd expect someone to know...well actually yes, you would in today's society.

I don't think anyone has ever failed this assessment. I've mostly written this for applicants, and the few year one students who I know read my excuse for a blog. It's enjoyable, however, writing literary reviews does seem far more satisfying and you've only got yourself to blame if you fuck up.

But if you do happen to find yourself doing this sort of project, it does give you a chance to write an awfully smart reflective piece on how you felt you felt about it.

Now Exams Have Finished (For Medics, at Least)

2009-05-29T00:36:00.004+01:00

This happens:

Medicine Application Help

2009-05-27T17:04:00.003+01:00

I've seen a few people have found this blog through Google searches for help with their Medical School applications.

I'm more than happy to help with this - email me questions and if they seem broadly relavent I shall post my answer publically with tag "Applicants" For those on TSR, use the "Ask a PS Helper" threads for Personal Statements, I'm on there quite abit.

Posting of mildly sarcastic rubble will recommence interfrastically

Word of the Week #3

2009-05-26T23:04:00.003+01:00

Average

Adjective used to describe something that functions to its minimal specification, but still sucks; Bad; One who is not good.

"Do or do not - there is no try"

2009-05-24T22:19:00.007+01:00

Master Yoda said these words to a naive Luke as he prepared with his training for what Luke deemed impossible.

It is the Semester Four exam on Tuesday. It is around two hours long and is of the "Select the correct letter" genus. The two species in the paper are Multi-choice and Extended Matching Question.

For applicants reading this, EMQs and MCQs are not easy. It is a real change from questions at ALevel, or even in other degrees where you are given time to explain yourself, and there is a plethora of answers (within reason) you can get and get the 25marks allocated to that gem of knowledge you learnt whilst swallowing your 100th ProPlus. The answers are right or wrong. Unfortunately, there are even discrepancies in the mark schemes, with them being contradictory.

There are lots of rumours flying around about this exam, from the fact it could be really clinical and full of anatomy because we don't have OSCEs this time around, to the fact that we might need to know the substrates that HMGCoAreductase or ACoACholesterolAcylesterase act on, and extremely delicate things like that. Chances are it will be the latter.

Back to the thread title, and to apply the post to my own experience.

I find revising extremely difficult. I do. It takes me three days to do what anyone can accomplish in six hours. The reality of the Medical Course is that there are some really smart people on it. Somehow I managed through year one, and the first half of year two. One must learn to adapt and "learn to learn" which Manchester actually try to help you to do during the first four weeks of Year One. It is reasonably helpful but not really guided enough. After all, how can one learn how to learn if you aren't taught how to learn! From that, I now know about 70% of the content. The exam is likely to be on 100% of the content, sods law is that it will be on things I don't know.

A good piece of advice I got (actually neither from a Tutor, nor a Medic) is that in sitting the exam, even though it is a Medical School Assessment, you will be treated in the marking as a Doctor, albeit a potential one. The attitude you have when you sit it should therefore reflect that.

...and that is basically "Do or do not...there is no try."

Basically Fear the fucking fear and do it anyway.

WISH ME LUCK!!

I shall not edit this post at a later date. It would be good to look back on this and reflect, to say "I told you I'd fail" or "What were you worrying about" in the future.

Word of the Week #2

2009-05-18T23:58:00.003+01:00

"Phlange"

Slang for the Labia Majora

Alternative definition by another student: "An undesirable vagina with excess skin that can hold the thick end of an Iron Bru bottle"

'Twas the Morning Before Progress

2009-05-18T10:28:00.004+01:00

'Twas the morning before Progress, when all through the house
Little creatures were stirring, especially the "scouse"
The Medics were huddled around in despair
In knowledge that "Progress" soon would be there

The Progress Test is an extremely long exam, about 2hrs30 mins. Every Medical Student at the University of Manchester must sit it twice a year, and gain at least a "Low Pass" out of grades "Distinction, Honours, Satisfactory, Lowpass, Unsatisfactory." It isn't an accurate exam - since everyone sits the same paper, if you are in the first year, you can only answer about 25% of the questions then the remainder is guess work. It isn't that satisfying to have to guess in an exam, and its multichoice which makes things more difficult.

There are some good questions, which have been released in the 50 Sample Questions we get online (which never come up in the exam it must be noted), such as:

A patient has been found in bed with a deep body temperature of 23.10C; the arms and legs are stiff. The pulse is undetectable.

What is the appropriate diagnosis?
A Barbiturate coma
B Brain stem death
C Electromechanical dissociation
D Hypothermia
E Rigor mortis

Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

I would apologise for mentioning Scousers in my post - however someone in my PBL group, from that area of the universe, is extremely worried...so he gets a mention.

Wish me luck.

2009-05-16T21:30:00.002+01:00

Peaceful Until Provoked

2009-05-16T20:57:00.003+01:00

Silence in the Library. Scratching of pens, burning of neurones.

*Ring ring ring ring ring*

"OMG HIYA! OMG like, I'm like in like Green One but ssh it's like soooo quiet down here 'n' I'm gonna like be done in about ten minutes chick y'know. Yah, well like tell Lyanne I'm in like the library..."

Suddenly, a voice from the other end of the floor:

"Shut the FUCK up you batty trashy cow"

Everyone was thinking it.

This Made Me Laugh this Morning

2009-05-15T07:56:00.002+01:00

Oink Oink

2009-05-15T07:37:00.004+01:00

Dear Student,

I'm Dr ... from NHS Manchester. I appreciate that you are all really busy at the moment, studying for your exams - but if you could take a moment to read this email, I'd be grateful.

You'll have heard about Swine Flu in the press.

Although it perhaps might seem 'media hype' there are several cases of Swine Flu in the UK at the moment and a few in the North West.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level to 5 meaning there is human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries within one WHO region. This is a strong indication that a pandemic may be imminent. The public, including students like you, can help to control the spread of Swine Flu, as well as other infections.

To do this you must:

* Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes
* Throw away used tissues, otherwise germs can linger on them
* Regularly wash your hands with soap and water
* Keep hard surfaces e.g. kitchen worktops and door handles clean

If you or someone you know is concerned because they think they be affected by Swine Flu having recently visited an infected area and have developed flu-like symptoms, the key steps are to

* Limit contact with others
* Don't go in person to see a GP, A&E or other health service
* Do stay at home and call a GP by telephone, contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit NHS Direct online at www.nhs.uk <http://www.nhs.uk/>

Thanks again for taking the time to read this email and good luck with your exams.

It's not even from The University of Manchester!!!! Nice to know they take care of their students.

GERMS?!? We're educated enough to know that's not the correct word! How patronising!

Something is wrong with this - everyone is in the Library revising, and the Frightened Ones certainly won't be torn away from there by abit of 'flu.

So looks like I'll catch it. Oink Oink.

Empathy in OSCEs

2009-05-11T21:12:00.005+01:00

Now I don't have OSCEs in this exam season, but I'm not going to let that stand in my way.

I clarify... In years one and two at Manchester, we spend almost all our time in "Communication Skills Sessions" being taught how to empathise. It almost always comes across as sarcasm in practice, especially for the freshly picked first years who, if in doubt, ask how the patient feels.

Picture the scene:
Patient sat almost comatose in the Orthopaedic ward after a hip resurfacing "Oooh god that hurts, ow"
Medical Student #1 plus Clinical Partner exchange worried looks: "So, how does that make you feel"
Patient glowers and tells them to fuck off

However, by the time you get to clinical years, you start to invent a new phrase, which you mostly tend to use when taking the piss out of the inadequacy of the Medical School:

Patient asks if right upper quadrant epigastric pain could be a heart-attack (it can't), to be met with the response:

"Well, I can see how that could potentially make you feel, but I can't do anything about it, or tell you anything about it, because we've been too busy learning about how you feel"

The Principles of Proper Grammar

2009-05-11T19:53:00.002+01:00

On his 66th birthday, a gentleman got a gift certificate from his wife. The certificate paid for a visit to a medicine man living on a nearby reservation who was rumored to have a wonderful cure for erectile dysfunction.After being persuaded, he drove to the reservation, handed his ticket to the medicine man and wondered what would happen next.

The old man slowly, methodically produced a potion, handed it to him, and with a grip on his shoulder, warned, "This is powerful medicine and it must be respected. You take only a teaspoonful and then say '1-2-3. 'When you do that, you will become more manly than you have ever been in your life and you can perform as long as you want."

He was encouraged. As he walked away, he turned and asked, "How do I stop the medicine from working?" "Your partner must say '1-2-3-4,' he responded."But when she does, the medicine will not work again until the next full moon."

He was very eager to see if it worked so he went home, showered, shaved, took a spoonful of the medicine, and then invited his wife to join him in the bedroom. When she came in, he took off his clothes and said, "1-2-3!"

Immediately, he was the manliest of men. His wife was excited and began throwing off her clothes. And then she asked, "What was the 1-2-3 for?"

And that, boys and girls, is why we should never end our sentences with a preposition!

ONE COULD END UP WITH A DANGLING PARTICIPLE!!

Of Ligatures and Dipthongs

2009-05-10T10:55:00.007+01:00

Æ Œ

Now children. Today's spelling lesson. It's really not that hard to get the spelling "correct."

Amenorrhœa
Apnœa
Diarrhœa
Fœtus
Gonorrhœa
Œdema
Œconomics (Yes, I'm right)

...and then there's these

Anæsthesia
Encyclopædia
Ischæmia
Orthopædic

Tip of the Day (Textbook Editors sit up and take note!!)

Press ALT+0156 to get the Ligature œ.

Press CTRL + SHIFT + & + A to get the Ligature æ.

...and...

It's ADRENALINE not EPINEPHRINE
Show me where the "Epinephral Gland" is and I shall change my ways.

Let's not forget this though:

This post contains special characters. If you can't see them you may not have all the right plug-ins instaled. It's not my fault!

Breaking Bad News

2009-05-10T10:41:00.001+01:00

Empathy, it must be said, is a problem that cuts both ways. So yesterday I had the unfortunate task of breaking bad news - informing a friend his Hamster had scuffed it. Not very clinical but, it was, if I say so myself, a moment even our dismal communication skills lecturer would have been proud of. It certainly compared favourably to a previous "Breaking Bad News" moment, where I had been wearing a borrowed t-shirt inscribed "Manchester Medics at Your Cervix"

Quote of the Week #3

2009-05-09T23:30:00.004+01:00

"It's always darkest before the dawn - so if you're going to steal your neighbour's wheelie bin, then's the time to do it"

The Pitfalls of Alternative Therapy

2009-05-09T23:22:00.004+01:00

THE parents of a baby girl suffering from eczema ignored the advice of doctors and persisted with homeopathic treatment for their daughter until she died from infection, a court has heard.

Homeopath, Thomas Sam, and his wife Manju Sam are accused of the manslaughter of their nine-month-old infant daughter, Gloria Thomas, by gross criminal negligence. On the opening day of their Supreme Court trial, a 12-member jury was told the Indian-born parents knew Gloria was suffering eczema on her face, arms, legs and torso at four months - but they failed to follow the advice of doctors who referred her to a dermatologist.

The court heard that by the time Gloria was six months old, the eczema had begun weeping and her clothing and nappies would stick to her skin and tear it whenever her parents changed her. Crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC said the baby girl's skin began to peel off, allowing infections to enter her bloodstream.

In the last five months of her life, Gloria was subjected to repeated infections which "placed a great deal of stress on her body," Mr Tedeschi said. "She wasn't able to get sufficient nutrition to fight off infections and to grow."

Gloria died from septicemia in May 2002, weighing just 5.3kg - well below the third percentile for her age. She had lost 20 per cent of her body weight in five months at a time she should have been gaining 500g per week, Mr Tedeschi said.

He told the jury Gloria's parents had failed in their duty of care to her by ensuring she received proper medical attention.

It is devastating to hear stories of people deluded into believing that alternative medicine can cure ails.

It's even worse when the one who suffers never had a choice in the matter.

I'm Just a Medical Student

2009-05-09T22:29:00.008+01:00

Something noticeable about studying Medicine and people knowing it, especially living in Halls of Residence, is that you suddenly metamorphose into the Resident House Officer.

Internal phone rings, midnight. Like an utter gimp, I turn away from learning about Thyrotoxicosis and answer it, with dripping sarcasm :

"Dr speaking" - this is a running joke in Hall
"Hi. Uh, I think I've, uh, like, got...uh...appendicitis"

I sip my coffee, chew the end of my pencil and stare out of the window for inspiration whilst playing some nice soothing music to myself in my head. This is not the first time this individual has sought my "Medical Expertise." Despite my reassurances that I know almost nothing and finally, after a long and pretty irrelevant History given, my generic response arrives:

"Have you had a Poo"
"No"

"Well have a Poo and call me in the morning if it isn't better"
"Ooh...um...right. Well you know what I get like"

"Don't we all" *Click* Zzzzzzz

What I felt inclined to do was tell him to grow the fuck up! Seriously - ringing a Medical Student when (predictably) he's studying, and asking about a poorly tummy?!? But I'm supposed to be non-judgemental and polite, particularly because he lives on my corridor, so I settled for glowering at him over my coffee in the morning.

As a student - I said all I could! Yes I listened and concluded that he could have an entire plethora of diseases, ranging from Tapeworm to Gastric Ulcer. However, most likely he'd drunk some Sainsbury's Basic "Gin" that had taken the lining off his stomach. Whilst flattering that people will so easily open up about illness, I can't help feel damn stupid that I can't really do much that's worth listening to.

It's nice that people do that - I shall take it as a complement. However, as to why someone would ever reveal their deepest feelings or embarrassing problems to a deeply cynical, slightly eccentric individual such as myself, is way beyond me.

Reminds me of a wonderful line in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, in which a peri-natal mother asks rapidly "What do I do" to which the response is "NOTHING my dear - you're NOT QUALIFIED."

Quite.

Quote of the Week #2

2009-05-05T17:48:00.001+01:00

"This is not an appropriate place for walking on the sloppy worm"

Seen in the Library...

2009-05-05T13:42:00.003+01:00

Quote of the Week #1

2009-05-04T09:43:00.004+01:00

"Doctors are just ex-Medical Students"

"I'm Not Antisocial - I'm Just a Medic"

2009-05-02T21:04:00.004+01:00

With three weeks to go before the Semester Test on Nutrition and Metabolism, social life has ground to a halt for the majority of Year Two Medical Students. The answer to most things is now "Just leave me alone to revise."

The University Library has decided to open 24 hours a day. That's phenominal - and it really is a fantastic Library. It is one of the few excellent points about The University of Manchester. I tend to leave at 11.30pm, which is a far more sensible time than attempting to stay all night with the Security Guards for company. Going in at 3am earlier this week I did see what I was missing out on.

I walked into the Library and suddenly hit a smell of panic, fear, urine, and just general eau de Toilet. Then I saw them...

The Frightened Ones! The dreaded Frightened Ones! They hide in the darker corners of the Library buried beneath mountains of textbooks that safeguard their wellbeing and usually have a laptop for company. "Home" no longer exists. That blue plastic chair with "Puff" written on the back is their bed, their LIFE - a tool to their learning and shall not be absented lest they die.

I was fortunate enough to interact with one of The Frightened Ones. Normally they shoo "others" away, as they are afraid of the outside world. I observed their rituals and had a glance at their culture and cuisine.

The Frightened Ones appear to live on a diet of Caffeine, ProPlus, Crisps, and Water. It appears the more frightened, and therefore more distinguished, Frightened Ones also drink Coca Cola. Their short lifespan of about two months is characterised by the black lines presiding underneath their eyes. The vocabulary of the Frightened One is somewhat limited. They also tend to have diarrhoea, due to their Caffeine diet.

All of this in the Medical section of the Library.

It does take years to learn that you should start revision early enough to not turn into a Frightened One. Alas, how else do you think we all get through Medical School?! Sensibility? No way.

Welcoming Summer in Oxford

2009-05-01T13:23:00.003+01:00

There. I posted something about Mayday! I remember the idiots jumping off the bridge in 2007 into less than three feet of water, and getting arrested as well as breaking bones.

By contrast in Manchester, we do have some nice sun, but it is now getting darker and drizzling. Bugger. Summer starts when it feels like it, not 1st May. This also means my hayfever will kick in any day now, in perfect time for the examinations. Hopefully that won't be a problem in the isolated environment of Hospitals this time next year.

I do have some good XRay pictures from injuries like those sustained...

Random Fact #1

2009-05-01T09:49:00.003+01:00

Seeing* as today is 1st May, and I should probably post something about May Day, but can't be bothered, I'll simply give a random fact...

You can't create a folder in Windows called AUX

*Corrected :-P

Service of Thanksgiving for Body Donors

2009-04-29T21:45:00.008+01:00

Each year the University accepts a number of human bodies, which are used to teach Anatomy to Medical, Dental and Science Students.

The bodies we receive are those of people from the Manchester area who have indicated, prior to their death, that they wish to donate their bodies for this purpose. This selfless and public-spirited action benefits the education of around 2000 students each year.

Last year the Medical School introduced an annual Service of Thanksgiving in memory of those who have donated their bodies to the University in the previous academic year. The Service is unrelated to the final committal or funeral service of any individual, but is intended as an opportunity for the public-spirited actions of the donors to be acknowledged.

The Service last year was attended by approximately 400 people. These included many relatives and friends of the deceased, current students, academic, administrative, postgraduate and support staff, senior University representatives, senior civic officials and clergy.

This service means alot to me. Medical teaching is slowly changing in Manchester - and a hazard is that donation will grind to a halt. Some students forget just how generous this whole dissection business is. In essence, the whole opinions on "Is a body a person" is irrelavent in the treatment of the cadaver. It is still someone's Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Brother etc and not just another "resource." Conduct in the Dissecting Suite should reflect this.

It was quite emotional, and extremely difficult, to see relatives sat near me getting visibly upset - but the gratitude they expressed to the students and staff in attendance was overwhelming. This should surely have been the other way around. It is amazing, especially in Clinical settings, the positive impact of the good things you don't know you're doing, as opposed to those you do.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot

Such a vital part of the Hippocratic Oath, which couldn't be fulfilled without what students were reminded of today.

I believe this is a fitting end and a real seal on my time in Year Two.

Problem Based Learning - No Longer a Problem

2009-04-28T02:22:00.005+01:00

So after two years of it, the Biomedical years have finished in attendance. I dare say I won't miss it. After all, I can't really think of much nostalgic to say or think apart from the whole thing sort of ended with a fart, rather than a bang.

Word of the Week #1

2009-04-26T12:04:00.006+01:00

I've decided it may be good to have either a quote, or word, that I have encountered in Clinical environments each week.

Nullo
Someone who has undergone an elective amputation simply for body modification. Can be of a hand or limb, but usually a toe

An Obituary

2009-04-25T10:52:00.006+01:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
The early bird catches the worm;
Life's not fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Hat tip to "The Times Online"

New UK Economic Budget

2009-04-24T23:37:00.002+01:00

Thank you, Darling

Sick Day

2009-04-24T14:19:00.003+01:00

Sometimes it is good to have a reminder that you are not immortal.

I am full of Imodium and a variety of other drugs, most of which are probably contraindicated - revision cannot be compromised, much like patient care.

Do like Doctors and Medical Students say...not like we do.

Dissection - My Shirt Smells of Formaldehyde

2009-04-23T17:36:00.010+01:00

After two years and four bodies, today I finally bade farewell to the DR.

In response to questions by applicants - yes. Dissection does smell and no - you don't get "used to it" you just learn to put up with it.

It's been a long ride. It is pretty cool to be bound by the Human Tissue Act and have to use your Medical School pass to gain entry to the hallowed restricted area! The first day we turned up in our lab coats and saw row upon row of embalmed bodies. "Real live dead bodies." People fainted, people threw up, people ran out. Eventually everyone settled down and experienced this right of passage through Medical School.

Over two years, I have cut, snipped, scraped, tugged, and cursed my way through several bodies. I have removed countless organs and put them back again. It has been really really interesting and I shall miss it.

There are some really satisfying moments, like removing the top of the Cranium and having not pierced the Brain or its surrounding layers with the electric saw.
I also know what poo looks like once it's been preserved. Lucky me.

We were supposed to have a "quiz" today, but instead decided to put it off 'till next week - that was until some bright spark reminded the Demonstrator that we didn't have a session next week. Well I got 60% which was pretty damn good I think.

There seems to be a couple of stereotypes that developed:

The "Hacker"
The hacker is the student that will probably turn out to be a Psychiatrist. They have no need for the scalpel - heck! They're not a surgeon! They will tear the body to pieces and play jokes like "hide the Penis in the Thorax."

The "Swot"
Turns up with all preparation done. Answers all questions and stands smugly in silence watching knowingly over the dissecting student's shoulder. Rarely dissects.

The "Surgeon"
Intricately dissects and probably does a good job, stands and tuts over the shoulders of dissectors. Sulks when they aren't able to do the cutting. Comes unprepared to the session and, if there is something that on absolutely no condition must be cut, will cut it.

The "Immature One"
Spends a lot of time still laughing at willys and foofs. This student will one day be a GP.

The "Digger"
Really hands on. Probably an Orthopaedic Surgeon in the making. Who needs forceps! Why do we need to double glove - its only Formaldehyde and Alcohol, it's not like its Carcinogenic! (Actually it is). Can usually be smelt coming along the corridor owing to the smell of the dissection oozing from their skin.

The "Keen One"

The first student that the Demonstrator knows the name of. Turns up early. Leaves last. Does everything. I mean everything. Then, eventually, feeling the cumulative mirth from the group after week four, chimes "Oh I don't want to be doing everything! I feel like I've hogged it!"

So what have I learnt over the past two years of dissection?

You can freak out almost anyone (who doesn't study Medicine) with Dissection tales

Dissection makes you hungry

No two demonstrators are created equal

It is far more interesting to die with disease

Female Medical Students really do faint

There are Lab Techs out there that look like the Cadavers they maintain

Even Lady Anatomy Demonstrators can not know their Vagina from their Clitoris

Your Penis goes black when it is embalmed

Physical disfigurement can be funny

A Human Intestine will stretch almost half the width of the Dissection Suite

Doors with signs on them saying "This is not a Door" are lying

On a very serious note, I have learnt so much from my time in the Dissection Suite, and it wasn't all Anatomy and Physiology. It is deeply important that we all remain thankful for the bodies that are selflessly donated for use.

No matter how crap our demonstrators may be, some things we must bear, in order to enjoy the privileges we are given.

YELIS!! That was the name of my favorite demonstrator. I have been trying to remember that for an entire Semester!

Feast of St George

2009-04-23T17:11:00.004+01:00

It's St George's Birthday! Our illustrious patron Saint, Matyred in Lydda, Palastine.

We don't really seem to have celebrated it as, for example, St Patrick Patron of Ireland.

Surprisingly, in 1415, St George's day was declared as one of the most important "Feasts" in the Church calender, to be observed like Christmas Day.

I think it would have been rather good to have had today as a holiday, just like Christmas Day. For a start, I wouldn't have had to go to a Lecture on The History of Transplantation.

Well I shall celebrate my "Britishness" by standing in a queue at an Cash Machine, eating Fish and Chips, and drinking a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord.

"So How Does That Make You Feel?"

2009-04-22T21:40:00.006+01:00

Today was Portfolio Review day.

For the past two years we have been expected to keep a journal of learning, reflections on our work, our progress, our attitudes, and how it makes us feel. The answer to the question in the title, if given by the University of Manchester, is "we don't really give a shit." Not surprisingly.

So they decide to pretend and "play" University.

I was looking through the guidelines last night and it is basically reflection reflection reflection reflection, what were your thoughts on that? how did it make you feel?

Why do we need a review?
The University insists that it enables us to review our own progress. Translated, this means same approach as with PBL - get on with it yourself. We know they don't care, and what's more the majority of us don't care about the Portfolio either. I think the main reason is that it gives us good preparation in how to tell each other that we're pretty god-awful at stuff without starting fights on wards. That's good.

"What happened then?" is whispered in the corridor outside the review rooms. I shall elaborate on my twenty minutes of glorious fibbing.

My reviewer was some rabbit-resembling tutor I'd never heard of who didn't even have a University ID Card. Sure enough, she had the forms, and that "I really want to fail someone today because it will ruin their year" look on her face. I knew I was in the right place!

Of course I had to sit and talk about how things had made me feel, how I'd progressed in how I'd felt, how I felt I'd feel about it in the future, and how I feel I'd feel about feeling like that in Phase Two. I feel awful!

For once I actually behaved myself and was quite serious. After all, this is a strange person, in more than one way, that I have never met before. I'd better be nice. We waxed lyrical with intent about Year One, then Year Two; we had a one-sided conversation about how useful Portfolio was, of course I employed my "All Ears Active Listening Technique" whilst she was doing this (I had written how I felt I'd improved on this); and we looked at some of my extra reflective pieces and other detritus that had wheedled its way into my folder. I'd fulfilled all the requirements and, apparently quite well. She seemed practically orgasmic that a student had actually written about how they felt.

To top it off I filled in a lovely little form called "What makes a really good medical student" and hastily ticked the top box for them all to describe myself picked up my stuff and scurried off for a pint at Kro Bar next door. I'm so modest - but it made me feel good.

Portfolio is a necessary evil at the Medical School. They do take it reasonably seriously and they constantly review it and us. Secretly they all know that almost every single on of us completed the damn thing the night before. We don't return and annotate at later dates. We're actually a pretty bright lot, so we know using a few different coloured pens and correct placing of a bit of Tip-Ex here and there will fool you enough so you'll move onto the next unfortunate sod who happens to have Word Processed the whole thing. Still, it keeps the tutors out of trouble.

Last year, out of 400 students, the number who needed "further support" numbered sixteen. Very impressive considering almost the entire year had empty folders until the night before and there was a queue at the printer clusters in the morning. You have to actually try to fail, if you're going to fail Portfolio, I think.

OWW! I feeeeeeeeel good *der ner ner ner ner ner ner*...

Wise Advice

2009-04-21T18:33:00.002+01:00

I never knew this!

Jade Goody

2009-04-21T18:16:00.003+01:00

This girl is still in the papers!! I see today she is on the front of one of the many "Blurb" or "Ey Up" magazines that all seem to contain "My boyfriend got me pregnant then left me for his brother" and other Jeremy Kyle standard crises.

This really really annoys me. Cancer is a terrible disease, of which I shall never wish on anyone. I have experienced what it does to families. I have held old dear's hands as they slipped away quietly and unvisited on the Oncological Palliative Care ward at my local DGH back home in Yorkshire. It tears families apart and can rip a patient to shreds. I live down the road from Christie's Hospital. It is full of this unfortunate type of person and their relatives. None of them are in the press. So why should Jade be, even after her death?

She is NOT a modern day "princess" (lower case "P" intentional), nor has she died for any good cause, except to grab money to increase the probably already six-digit balance in bank accounts for her criminal husband.

One good thing however has come of this. She has raised awareness for a very important cause, and I'm sure as a result of her public, and courageous battle, many lives have been potentially prolonged or even saved. I just wish the press would now leave her and her family alone.

Society should remember her as a healthy person, smiling and tanned in a posh dress.

At least that's how I remember those who I know and love that have died from Cancer.

PBL Case 9

2009-04-21T17:25:00.008+01:00

With four weeks to go until the exam we embark upon yet another PBL Case. For those of you (if there are any) who don't know what PBL is, you can find it here. Here's the scenario:

Ian, 24 years old, and is often ill with skin infections and UTIs. He often suffers from headaches and Retinopathy. He was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes Mellitus aged 14. He had difficulties in adjusting his Insulin treatment and often found it difficult to follow advice given, and despite benefits of treatment and tight control being explained to him, he continued with extremely poor blood glucose control. Ian has been working as a labourer since age 21.
He collapsed at work, admitted with an elevated GFR and proteinurea, which was later negative for protein.

Ian is on antihypertensives but develops peripheral oedema and increases bodyweight over some months. His proteinurea has returned together with hypoalbuminaemia and hyperlipidaemia. BP is elevated. He is prescribed diuretics and gradually looses the weight and is advised to keep a low protein diet.

After four further years Ian develops Chronic Renal Insufficiency and begins Dialysis, where he receives Peritoneal Dialysis. He is waiting for a Pancreas-Renal transplantation after which he is on immunosuppressive drugs and his quality of life drastically improves.

Cripes.

This is the last PBL Case of Phase One, and also one of the largest. It is on the Medical Student's worst nightmare... Kidney Failure.

That is one huge topic. Textbooks over 2500 pages long, reams of research papers, wades of uncertainty.

Honestly, my PBL group has had enough. Quite understandably, we're tired. Bollocks to the "seven step approach" - we cut the crap. Sometimes PBL groups don't work out, but this one has. So we traipse through reading the case, all the necessary stuff in between and come up with our Learning Objectives for the week.

Once our tutor, who is always suspiciously keen to leave the room, has gone, we all democratically agree that PBL is the last thing we're going to give a shit about this week. We have Portfolio reviews and our SSC Group Posters to complete. No doubt some scheming will go on this week to who is going to say what, so the rest can just come along for the attendance and get on with things that are, quite correctly, much more important. A quick group smirk about one of our fellow PBL-ers who missed her first ever lecture before the session, and we're on our way. With much work.

After a 30 minute bus journey with the plebs, and meeting Crazy Bus Lady on the way home (I shall introduce her another time) I pour myself a stiff Gin and Tonic and I pick up my pen. I'm trembling as I open Kumar and Clark, and my OHCM, to see the frontier I am confronted with. There are words I don't understand. Fuck. This week is going to be long.

To supplement our reading, the University has in its undying charity decided to supply us with four lectures. I must mention that only one of these is Biomedical, two are on ethics, and the fourth is simply titled "Assessments" and somehow I don't think its about patients.

The Secondary Complications of Diabetes Lecture was given by a tutor who, in my opinion, has the most glorious name: Professor Raymond Boot-Handford. He even looks like Fr Christmas, that was until he shaved off his mustache. It was pretty damn good actually.

Glancing through the case I realise we must also touch on one part of the body that makes me squirm - and that is feet. FEET. Why are they called feet?! The inevitable thing is that I will come across some lovely pictures of necrotic feet with dry gangrene. Success! So far tonight I have gone through an entire textbook of the things, and a PBL Case could quite easily be written on my symptoms as I read through it. Without a doubt, Diabetic Podiatry Clinics must be one of the most unpleasant things to have to do.

I think I need to lie down.

E4Sem

2009-04-21T11:03:00.010+01:00

I'm currently sat on a computer in the University Clusters, so I must watch what I decide to type incase they are logging keystrokes.

We have been organised into groups of four to six and need to produce a brief report on the MMR Scare paper, in PowerPoint. We have to have three discussions in the group. "You have one and a half hours to submit your report."

So in and amongst this task, I shall be doing more important things - like checking Facebook, writing on Internet Forums, and completing my "Portfolio." Which reminds me - I have my Portfolio Review tomorrow. Bugger.

If anyone is remotely interested, the paper is:

Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children LANCET February 1998, Wakefield et al

My timeline:

11.00 - Started this post

11.05 - Session begins

11.06 - Facebook check

11.08 - Better check Facebook again, make sure noone is beating me at Scrabble

11.09 - I'm down to third. Better get high score up

11.11 - Back in first place, time to get some work done

11.25 - Register has been taken. Time to check my emails

11.31 - I can't remember how the Complement System works. Wikipedia might know

11.46 - After a lot of clicking around on Wikipedia, I find that Susan Boyle has learning difficulties

11.47 - Facebook

12.19 - Done

Perhaps I should explain what this was all about...

E4Med was blatently something the course directors decided to come up with once they'd had one too many Cherry Brandys, Non-alcoholic Shandys, or whatever the devil it is that tutors drink these days.

It was introduced in 2007 with a view to enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Epidemiology and improve our ability to critically analyse research papers. So far I have yet to reap the benefits. This year we have had to do fortnightly electronic assignments and submit them. Of course these are left until the last minute and there is no pass mark.

The last assessment I did whilst extremely tipsy whilst on a night out in an emergency visit to an Internet Cafe at 11.50pm. I got 1/100. I passed. Absolutely thrilled!

The remainder of my timetable today consists of two lectures back to back, ending with one hour of "MSRC Hustings" in preparation for the student elections. So much to rant on... another time perhaps.

What to Moan on?

2009-04-19T17:30:00.004+01:00

I have just realised how much there is to moan about - but where to start? The insufficiencies of PBL? The utter lapse in Pastoral Support? Difficult Patients? Difficult Collegues? My latest altercation with a Matron? Other Medics?

No that would be foolish - and would probably oblitorate any potential readers (if there are any already) Similarly, it would be pathetic of me to keep publishing post after post on unrelated things.

Alas. Rather than condense all into one long huge rant, I will simply have my first "relavent" rant. What else to choose apart from the thing I had my view on for three years at school and college...

Manchester Medical School.

"Why do you want to be a Doctor, and why do you want to come to Manchester"

I lied. I wanted to study Medicine. I was extremely fortunate. Despite what I may say, beneath some of the dark humour, the bitter and twisted opinionated posts, I am most grateful to be where I am. It is what I want to do. Do I regret Manchester? Perhaps. Do I regret chosing Medicine? Never. I came out of the interview without a doubt in my mind that I had got in.

Results day is something I certainly won't forget any time soon. Checking UCAS all night long to get that "Unconditional Offer" at 3am. It was one of the best days of my life, but conjoined with a huge mixture of sadness. All of it to become an anticlimax.

The first time I stepped foot in Manchester was on the day of my interview, which I had rearranged three times. The first time I saw my Hall of Residence was the day I moved in.

I question why I applied here sometimes. The support is low, PBL could perfectly be ignored, lectures are irrelavent and most of the time cancelled, and moral is even lower. The tutors can be bitter and twisted. Secretly, I think some of them take great glee in seeing us fail and have to approach the unmentionable "Progress Committee." None of that is scribed in the prospectus. It seems like two minutes ago I was a naive A-Level Student in Yorkshire, where Medical School was a far off potential.

Thankfully cyberspace has missed out on the first two years of my Medical School career. It has been far from mundane, but we'll save that for a rainy day.

Because of what these last two years, I've seen almost every possible angle of the Med School, and can brand it as...well...pretty poor. There are of course exceptions. To say that I study Medicine, I spend hardly any time in our Medical School Building. Our lectures are in a mundane, generic 1970s building which stinks of disinfectant and piss. We have dissection in the relavent labs, but that's it. Sensibly, none of the Medical specialties, like Neuroscience, are in the "Medical Building" any more - they are now in the Hosptials. Extremely sensible and I know how they feel.

Over the course of my Med School career, I have had it drilled into me that the NHS will invest approximately £250,000 in me. You'd expect they'd want a good Dr at the end of it. In that case, why does Manchester insist on leaving us adrift, quite literally up a certain creek without a certain instrument. Here I am £13,000 in debt (at least) and all we have done is BioMedical Science and abit of Anatomy. We are all so ill-prepared for life as a Doctor.

I do, on the whole, enjoy it, I find most of the stuff very interesting but probably don't work hard enough at times. The Med School should wake up and see that gathering a group of about eleven people together, who either do not want to be there, or have all used the same text books, and have them "discuss" (to be read "regurgitate") facts is not the way to be going about things. Then supplying us with the whole of fourteen sample questions, which in my experience have been far from accurate in their reflection of the difficulty of the exams.

Am I worried that my opinions on here may get me into trouble? Perhaps.
Do I hold any grudges? Not really.

Clinical years will hold something better, no doubt. Until then I head to the grindstone of learning, quite literally, about crap.

Brain Blessed Tells a Story

2009-04-19T15:51:00.000+01:00

My Revision

2009-04-19T15:07:00.004+01:00

Something to remember for applicants, as well as current Med Students, is the short amount of time you have to revise before exams. Since I am supposed to be revising I shall leave this short and say that at the moment, I feel like the picture below.

Ioan Davies

2009-04-19T14:43:00.005+01:00

In my last post before I trawl off into social recluse for revision, I feel I need to mention one person, who is well known at the University.

Ioan.

I have hit quite a few mountains in my last few years and of course that never goes down well with the Medical School, no matter how academic you may be.

Ioan Davies is the Pastoral Senior Tutor for Phase One (year one and year two). He has been there as a confidant and realist. I value his opinion and I know other people do.

Initially in Year One, many people had "mixed" opinions, but the general consensus before Phase Two, especially by one of my friends, is that he is probably one of the best Tutors at the University.
I am inclined to agree.

The Truth about Manchester

2009-04-19T14:25:00.005+01:00

Hat-tip to "The Little Medic" for this:

I followed a link for this year's National Student Survey (unistats website). As a slightly disgruntled student (as no doubt you guess by the number of posts already tagged "Rant") I was interested to find the result of satisfaction:

Manchester - 30th out of 32 medical schools who provided enough data.

Absolutely.

Now you don't just have to take my word for it later on when Manchester suddenly appears as poor.

To quote The Little Medic: "When I advise potential students to avoid Manchester like the plague - I can provide a bit more evidence than just my experience."

A common phrase used at Graduation in one of the multiple speeches is "Manchester is an old University, but also benefits from being New."
Now. Manchester was one of the pioneering Universities, together with Liverpool, to introduce Problem Based Learning (look in the thesaurus and you find "Do it yourself") for the MBChB and now almost all Medical Schools have jumped on this bandwagon. You'd imagine Manchester would be pretty good at it - probably setting a gold standard?

Don't get me wrong - I do know people who are quite satisifed and happy at Manchester. I could probably count the number on one hand, but there we are. The course is constantly changing. When I started we were lucky enough to have proper Dissection, with demonstrators and Cadaevers, loosely resembling teaching.

However.

The Medical School has now changed the course and I hear rumours that no longer will dissection be allowed. Instead it will be a kin to Liverpool University, which is basically looking at prosections. Thereby designating Anatomy the second most boring thing on the course... next to PBL.

When I have more time I will get on to admissions, and to why I decided, out of my four offers, to pick Manchester.

A Source of Recognition

2009-04-19T14:10:00.002+01:00

I'm sat in the forced silence of the Library at the moment, going over my list of things to catch up on this week whilst we have a quick gasp of free time.

Whilst searching through KINGSLEY's Concise Text of Neuroscience, I happened to drop it, where it lay open at the "Dedication" page. I found all of the dedication quite profound, and perhaps the best reasons to write a text for education. Aside from two people that are unnamed, whose deaths inspired the authour, the bottom line of the dedication is probably the most deserved:

"...To the underappreciated Medical Student, in whom the future of Medicine lies"

Suddenly I feel better.

Students

2009-04-19T14:03:00.002+01:00

It continues to amaze me how those who title themselves "Student," of which I am not one, believe they can spew forth life-changing philosophical banter.

For example. This little gem, scrawled onto the desk in the library, keeping me company for the better part of six hours:

Always Question
Never Accept
Don't Wear Ugg Boots
You look a twat and your ankles look deformed

Despite my grasp of English Literature, Philosophy, and Psychology, I am still none the wiser.

Exams

2009-04-19T13:16:00.002+01:00

As I type I am sat at my desk surrounded by random papers, awaiting my readymade Lasagne to finish in the oven. It is exam time. I have four weeks until our Progress Test and five until the Semester Test on "Nutrition and Metabolism." If there is anyone reading...proper posting will begin after all this has finished.