January 2017
questions about dealing with criticisms, overcoming barriers and other particular issues surrounding training as a woman. Though the focus was on women, we are sure the advice imparted by our experienced panel struck a chord with both males and females in the audience. We would like to express our gratitude to our speakers and panel, who gave up their time generously and are so dedicated to the education of medical students.
Getting The ‘Hands-On’ Early In the national cardiothoracic surgery specialty training recruitment, the candidates are assessed on their ability to demonstrate surgical skills. We therefore introduced workshops to expose medical students to surgical techniques: basic suturing skills, surgical hand tie, thoracoscopic skills, chest drain insertion and aortic anastomosis. The participants were given the chance to practice their surgical skills using animal tissue, under the guidance of experienced cardiothoracic trainees and consultants, who use these techniques on a daily basis.
Widening participation From inception, this programme has reached out to 6th formers with various partner schools and indeed the first 6th former to attend the programme is herself now a medical student. Medicine is regarded as a ‘middle-class’ profession and that brings with it certain challenges and some may say even barriers to entry if you are not from such a background. This year we purposefully established partnerships with some school that do not have a history of sending many people to medical school or even University. We were
delighted to see them at this event and enjoyed their participation. This year, new workshops were introduced for 6th form students. A team of senior medical students from all over UK gave them excellent tips on medical school applications, on getting involved in voluntary work and gaining work experience. They also enjoyed the more practical opportunity of learning to save a life during the basic life support workshop.
“This year we purposefully established partnerships with some school that do not have a history of sending many people to medical school or even University. We were delighted to see them at this event and enjoyed their participation.”
The organising committee were students from Barts and the London Medical School and King’s College London Medical School. From left to right: Jeesoo Choi, Zeinab Ruhomauly, Ziyan Kassam, David Hawes, Joshua Wong, David Tang and Aman Coonar
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From left to right: Alex Shipolini, Farah Bhatti, Michael Sabetai, Catherine Sudarshan, Jonathan Unsworth-White, Melanie Jenkins, Aman Coonar
Chest drain insertion station with realistic animal tissue
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery simulation Participants having fun learning basic life support
Future Events We are broadening our outreach and repertoire of activities at each annual event. Possible new additions to our careers day would include workshops on making cheap surgical practice sets to practice skills at home and a session on encouraging involvement in cardiothoracic surgery academic research. This careers day also provides a platform for participants to build connections with like-minded cardiothoracic surgery enthusiasts. Most importantly, the continued warm and supportive environment gives a positive impression of the specialty and will hopefully attract and inspire talented students, who will become to future of cardiothoracic surgery. More information on the event can be found on the official website: www.cardiothoraciccareers.co.uk The next SCTS/RSM student engagement event is at the national meeting in Belfast. n