Medical Careers Day Dr Austen Spruce

Health Care in Birmingham UHB 1000 beds. State of art facilities. Pioneering developments in trauma surgery. Centre for Defence medicine. Health research bus - new initiative – taking healthcare provision into communities where engagement with health care provision is low. Research is high priority. Cancer research building. We are a CRUK centre for clinical trials for childhood cancers. The BCTU is one of the largest in Europe.

Entry requirements for medicine: Selection for interview Major investment in university and city that benefit medicine students. You can see some of this today. FOYER!!!!! The Wolfson Centre is one important part. Also new prosectorium. Next door – new Hospital

Medicine at Birmingham Two different degree programmes 5-year (after A-levels) Graduate entry (4-year) Biology-related degree first usually Able to relax A-level grades UHB 1000 beds. State of art facilities. Pioneering developments in trauma surgery. Centre for Defence medicine. Health research bus - new initiative – taking healthcare provision into communities where engagement with health care provision is low. Research is high priority. Cancer research building. We are a CRUK centre for clinical trials for childhood cancers. The BCTU is one of the largest in Europe.

Getting the numbers right 345 places; 2,250 applications National data: 8,000 places; 20,000 applications Conversion rate (percentage of applicants who accept an offer) – 50% So, make 750 offers Interview >1,200 (an increase)

Means of selection for interview Using UCAS data ……. Predictors of success? Best evidence for school-leaving qualifications Aptitude tests - (UKCAT NOT used) Personal statement / reference Selection primarily based on academic results But, contextual information will be used to select proportion of interview candidates

Academic Profile GCSEs: International Baccalaureate – 36 pts Preference for A* in Science, Maths and English Relaxed for applicants who meet contextual threshold International Baccalaureate – 36 pts Biology and Chemistry at Higher Level

Academic Profile – contd. AS-levels: used for selection Final result at end of year 12 (not unit marks) Threshold – AAAA (relaxed for candidates identified using contextual data) A2-levels: Three subjects (no advantage with four) Chemistry + Biology + other academic subject Concern if additional two subjects are insufficiently academic (e.g. Drama and Art)

What else? Academic results do not identify best doctors No psychological testing – not useful anyway? But, looking for “well-rounded”, motivated individuals Work experience and extra-curricular activities Extent of “involvement” judged using personal statement – acceptable threshold? Assessed formally at interview

The interview and getting the right work experience

Work experience Direct clinical observation not required Not used to full advantage Negative influence on in-depth research!? Investigate the career Information from news reports Evidence of commitment to a “public servant” role Health care experience: Long-term; caring for vulnerable people Incl. paid work Clinical experiences often come about via family/friends connections Disappointing level of insight expressed as a result of these experiences. Clinical observation DOES NOT = sufficient motivation Must have looked into how the career can progress. But, also some of the issues that are of concern to doctors and society. Can find out more about the career by reading news articles and investigating the issues than any other source. Nursing home, children’s playgroup, leader in youth organisation.

The interview – New mechanism Multiple Mini-Interviews Initially, only 4 stations – 5 min at each Assessed characteristics: Interpersonal communication Motivation and understanding of medicine Ethical reasoning Logical reasoning Compassion Format: 1-to-1 discussion; Interaction with actor; task to complete