1. Medical Careers Day
Dr Austen Spruce

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. The interview and getting the right work experience

11. 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.

12. 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