My Desire to Study Medicine

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I decided to study medicine many years ago because it enables one to make a direct difference to another person’s life by putting into practice a deep knowledge of science. However after being in quarantine due to a swine flu outbreak whilst on a Chinese language camp this summer my feelings developed. I had an insight into public health and disease control on a global scale and it was the intensity and sense of urgency that appealed to me. A doctor has no routine and is exposed to scientific and social challenges.

In order to see if I could cope with the demands of such a tough profession I took the opportunity to become aware of all aspects of medicine, including the unglamorous side.

For the past year I have been volunteering on a surgical ward undertaking various tasks from cleaning blood to handling bedpans. At times this was unforgiving, but I saw doctors make brave decisions where they had to employ their medical expertise and ethics. On one occasion I observed doctors discuss the best possible treatment for a man with Down’s Syndrome, severe heart problems and mild deme...

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