While on your medical placement what did you learn about health care, that you didn't already know before?
Cally & Gemma: Not having prior hospital work experience in the UK, due to being under 18, the entire placement allowed us to experience aspects of healthcare that we had never had the chance to witness before.
Individually, we learnt about the cases of the patients we followed and how best to treat different diseases. The global health tutorials also allowed us to develop prior knowledge on infectious diseases, transmittance and treatment.
On a broader scale, we learnt much about the importance of patient ‘follow ups’ and were able to accompany doctors on home visits to see outpatients.
The differences between Western medicine and traditional medicine were highlighted to us during our time in the Thai hospitals, as well as respecting a patient’s right to decide what type of treatment they should receive.
How do you feel your placement has helped you with your future career?
Cally & Gemma: Our placement in Thailand gave us invaluable insight into the inner workings of busy hospitals and the demands and stresses placed upon doctors on a day to day basis.
However, not only were we able to gain experience in a hospital setting but also we were lucky enough to be able to visit other external healthcare providers such as care homes, community clinics and GP practices.
This showed us that medical care extends beyond the primary care environment of a hospital and the range of people involved to ensure patients had the highest possible quality of care.
All of this has allowed us to rid ourselves of any false illusions that may come with a dream career as a doctor and understand that sometimes there may not be a solution but care is equally as important. The placement has solidified in both of our minds that this is a career worth pursuing despite the difficulties that will inevitably be faced.
Would you recommend gaining work experience abroad to other students, and why?
Cally & Gemma: Work experience plays a vital part in applying to study medicine at university but it is also necessary for you to experience a caring environment and to fully recognize whether or not a career as a doctor is right for you.
Gap Medics placements have allowed us to gain experience that would not have been possible in the UK due to age restrictions and health care standards. We would both highly recommend undergoing a placement with Gap Medics as there is a much higher depth of experience than just the placement.
Days are spent in the hospital, or with doctors travelling to visit different patients, as well as the opportunity to participate in global health tutorials and the amazing chance to explore a part of the world so different from our own.
This gave us further insight into other cultures which is important, as a key skill for a doctor is to be able to communicate with many different types of people, and to empathize with them.
Another bonus of the placement is the fact that you are not alone, as many people undergo these placements alongside each other, with everyone becoming friends easily.
We had the once in a lifetime opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world, whom we would otherwise not have met. This was probably one of the best aspects of the placement abroad and is one of the many reasons we believe the placements are so highly recommendable.