What to Do During Work Experience: Observing, Asking Questions, and Making the Most of It

Alright, future healer— you've landed that work experience spot? Massive congrats! This isn't just about watching from the sidelines; it's your chance to dive in, grow, and emerge transformed. Picture this: you're in the ward, absorbing real-life medicine, and walking away with stories that make your personal statement sing. It's empowering stuff, turning "I think I want to be a doctor" into "I know I was born for this." Let's break it down so you make every moment count, avoiding the traps that leave others with regrets.

Key activities start with shadowing—your front-row seat to the action. Follow doctors on rounds, observe consultations, and note how they handle everything from routine check-ups to emergencies. Watch how they speak to patients. How they make patients feel. How they answer questions. Pay attention to ethics in play: watch how consent is obtained or confidentiality maintained. Teamwork shines here too—see how nurses, pharmacists, and docs collaborate seamlessly. This builds your understanding of multidisciplinary care, a core skill for any medic.

What to do practically? Keep a journal—your superpower tool. Jot down observations daily: "Today, I saw a GP explain diabetes management with empathy, turning fear into empowerment." Reflect on what surprised you, like the emotional toll of bad news. Engage without overstepping: ask smart questions at quiet moments, like "How do you balance patient autonomy with best practice?" or "What challenges do you face in teamwork?" Show initiative—offer to help with non-clinical tasks if appropriate, like organising files. This demonstrates enthusiasm and builds rapport for that all-important reference. ASK QUESTIONS. See something cool? Any specific wishes of stuff you want to see or do? ASK. Don't ask and you don't get- often doctors will be impressed by your initiative and accept your request.

Pitfalls to dodge? Being passive is the big one—don't just stand silent; that's missed opportunity gold. Over-engagement is risky too; never interrupt consultations or touch patients without permission. Remember, you're there to learn, not lead. Phone addiction? Leave it in your bag—full focus shows respect.

How does this build skills? Communication levels up as you chat with staff and patients, honing active listening. Ethics and teamwork insights sharpen your moral compass, prepping you for MMIs. Resilience grows from seeing tough cases, teaching you to stay composed.

The most important thing is to have a list of things you saw/did/asked and note core attributes and how this can bolster your application. Reflect on them succintly in your personal statement and prepare how you can weave these experiences into relevant answers upon interview. Without this your week in Harley Street will be rendered useless.

By the end, you'll have a toolkit of experiences that empower your application. You're not just observing—you're evolving into the doctor you dream of being. Embrace every second; it's your story unfolding. Go make it epic!