Basingstoke hospital work experience: Wednesday (day 3)

This afternoon I met an old man who needed a CT scan, but he thought he was going home: he had packed up his bag and was all ready to leave! Luckily, the nurse managed to latch him onto me so we could persuade him to come down for his scan. I sat and talked with him for about twenty minutes before he was called in, then waited for him to come back out before taking him up to his ward. The experience showed me that patience and a kind smile really help do much, especially when dealing with confused elderly patients. It made me really proud that I had helped a patient to have a more calm and enjoyable experience at the hospital, particularly as he couldn't wait to get home!

Basingstoke hospital work experience: Tuesday (day 2)

Today was a little more exciting, which was good as I had enjoyed my 'breaking in' day, but I was ready for some action! I was allowed to sit and watch a CT scan of the brain of a man from AAU, which was really interesting. I had never seen one before, so it was very helpful to have it explained by one of the staff. The brain is such a complex structure, and never ceases to amaze me, so being able to see a live person's brain being scanned and displayed on a computer screen was very exciting! The new technologies available to the medical profession today are so fascinating, and even more so because they are becoming ever more advanced.

After watching the scan, Brian and I were just about to return this patient to AAU when he turned a funny colour and began shaking drastically. Luckily, a nurse was on hand and hooked home up to an oxygen cylinder in the bay. Throughout the whole episode I felt a need to help and make it better, something that proved to me how much I want to be a doctor. I can't just stand and watch things happen without wanting to help.

Basingstoke hospital work experience: Monday (day 1)

As it was my first day, I spent much of my time getting to know the hospital and my mentor, Brian. I was in the radiology department, portering patients to and from the bed park. The staff were very welcoming, and helped me to get to grips with the job very quickly. As Brian gave me the task of giving the paperwork to the appropriate office (X-ray or CT scanning), I began to understand the different notations on the sheets. This will help me as a student and then as a doctor, as reading the shorthand will come more naturally to me.

I was pleased when by the end of the day I began to feel at home, as I know that a lot of my time in the future will be in a hospital. I felt really happy with the day, but absolutely exhausted, the porters walk miles and miles every day!

"Junior Doctors"

I just watched an episode of 'Junior Doctors', and it really inspired and ignited my desire to be a doctor. Watching the newly graduated doctors find their way around their first shifts made me realise what a hugely superior job it is. Although they struggled a little to begin with, they soon found their feet and began to take part in difficult procedures. The emotions that charged around the hospital with them left me on the edge of my seat, wishing I was there. After watching it, I am determined to get to where they are, and I can't wait! It was the perfect way to prepare me for my work experience portering at Basingstoke Hospital next week.

Assembly participation - understanding what it feels like to have a learning disability or mobility difficulties

Last week I was chosen by my house head to take part in an assembly in order to demonstrate to others what it feels like to have a learning disability or a mobility difficulty. This afternoon, I took part in an obstacle course down the middle of the school hall, however the catch was that the instructions were given to us in Polish. This showed my team and I how difficult communication can be with people who have learning difficulties, as sometimes they just don't understand words in long and complicated sentences as others do. This has made me realise how important actions and gestures are. I also had to attempt to throw a bean bag from a sitting position in a chair into a hoop a considerable distance away. The catch? We were only allowed to use our lower arms, as our elbows were being held to our sides. This helped me to understand more about how frustrating it is to be in such a situation, and this in turn will enable me to be more understanding and sympathetic in my work.

I was then able to put my new skills into practise, as took part in my weekly volunteering session after school. When the children recognise you and choose you as someone to talk to, it is really special, as it shows that you have communicated so well that they want to tell you about everything that is happening in their lives. This, in my opinion, is a fantastic tool, as I understand that it can be particularly difficult to obtain a history from a stubborn patient!