Sixth Form to Scrubs: Work Experience

Scrub in with me to relive my work experiences!

I'm lucky to have been able to see several medical settings through three different work experiences. Let's jump right in!

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

My four-day work experience at an Obstetrics and Gynaecology placement gave me an invaluable insight into the responsibilities and challenges of a medical career. It highlighted the need for empathy, clinical precision, and effective communication in patient care, especially in women's health, which, as women, we often see brushed to the side under the assumption that ill health is due to the 'usual menstrual problems'. In this work experience, I was able to see female and pregnant patients treated with kindness and respect.

I spent my first day in the antenatal clinic, observing 12-week dating scans. Witnessing the joy on parents’ faces as they saw their baby for the first time was heartwarming. I learned how doctors screen for conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’, and Patau’s syndromes by measuring the nuchal translucency (the fluid at the back of the neck) and examining the development of the baby’s heart. Later in the day, I observed the care of pregnant women with diabetes. It was fascinating to learn about the complications that diabetes can pose, such as larger babies (macrosomia), preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy), and the risks of neonatal hypoglycemia (when the baby has low blood sugar). Managing these risks involved regular glucose monitoring, insulin adjustments, and close monitoring of the baby’s growth, emphasising the importance of thorough and tailored care.

In the morning, I shadowed an OB/GYN, getting to see mothers closer to delivery. It was intriguing to see how a sonicaid is used to hear the baby’s heartbeat and learn that the sound of blood flow to the placenta can sometimes be mistaken for the baby’s heartbeat. This demonstrated the precision required even in seemingly simple tasks. In the afternoon, I joined the SDEC, observing emergency cases. This was extremely exciting for me as I was looking forward to seeing some action. The variety of situations highlighted the unpredictability of medicine and the need for quick decision-making. The business and range of exposure I got in SDEC honestly made me feel giddy with the amount of cool stuff I got to see. The absolute highlight of my day was observing an abscess removal, which demonstrated the skill and focus required in minor surgical procedures, and despite it being a very minor one, any amount of surgical gore is something to appease me.

On my third day, my own heartstrings felt a little tug, I remained in the prenatal clinic with the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) team. This day showed me the more serious side of pregnancy care, as I observed discussions around miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. These moments were emotional and required a high level of sensitivity from the team, and I felt sympathy and so much respect for the patients who remained strong during such a painful experience.

I learned a great deal about ectopic pregnancies, which I found particularly fascinating, especially their risks and the importance of early detection. I also observed internal scans of pregnancies under eight weeks, which was an unforgettable experience. Seeing a tiny heartbeat at such an early stage of development was both humbling and inspiring, 10/10 recommend.

On the final day, I shadowed another OBGYN, who was a Menopause Specialist and Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician. This gave me peek into a different approach to women's health. I observed biopsies being carried out and saw how simple lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise, can help manage some gynaecological issues.

Overall the whole experience was a WE student's dream, the amount of exposure into different faction of women's health was overflowing and gave me a newfound appreciation and interest in the discipline.

Ambulatory Care and Internal Medicine

This 3-day work experience in Ambulatory Care and Internal Medicine was absolutely amazing. A&E felt right at home with the British busting emergency rooms stacked with patients to the brim. It was an extremely entertaining perspective to be on the other side of the healthcare system, getting a 'BTS of the NHS' if I do say so myself. Over the course of my placement, I gained a much deeper understanding of how medicine functions across different specialities and settings — from emergency departments and inpatient wards to outpatient diagnostics and same-day care. I witnessed the importance of teamwork, efficient patient handovers, and how clinicians adapt their communication depending on patients’ needs — such as when managing confusion or delirium. Observing practical procedures like knee aspirations and stress echocardiograms highlighted how vital technical skill is in addition to knowledge. I can confidently state that I am not a squeamish person, as I highlighted in the last section, I thoroughly enjoy viewing a good surgery and a bloody surgical procedure, but a knee aspiration completely threw this askew. I was positively revolted. Me and a fellow students were advised to watch as an ever-extending needle was pushed through the knee, snuggling deep between the joints. The syringe was pulled back hoping to reduce oedema, but nothing was sucked up. They tried again and again and despite her strength, pain tolerance, and willingness to get it reduced, the poor woman was wailing in pain, and that cry of pain mixed with the sight of her shaking knees and the massive needle, definitely stirred a disgusting feeling of disgust within me. Something Im going to have to overcome soon, I presume.

I also learned how different departments work together to streamline patient care, including how referrals, investigations, and discharge planning are managed. Most importantly, I saw the human side of medicine — the empathy, patience, and decision-making that go into every consultation. This was one of my most patient interaction-heavy work experiences and I really did love sitting in on clinics. I love being able to speak to people and the ability to help and relieve their worries and pain in some way makes me feel excited for this part of being a doctor.

Here comes my favourite bit: I got to shadow cardiac physiologists. I observed a number of routine echocardiograms as well as a stress echocardiogram, which allowed me to see how the heart responds under different physiological conditions. I gained a much stronger understanding of cardiac anatomy and how it is visualised in real time through echocardiography. Watching multiple echoes helped me distinguish between normal cardiac function and signs of pathology. I also learned about atrial fibrillation — its causes, how it could spark complications like strokes, and how it can be monitored and managed. In addition, learnt a nice little fact about fetal circulation, about how holes in the lungs play a vital role before birth and typically close after a baby takes their first breath and begins to cry.

Urology

This work experience was particularly special for me, as I had the opportunity to return to my homeland of India, and shadow many amazing doctors at a urology placement.

Within this work experience, I was allowed to shadow a leading robotic surgeon during various surgeries, inpatient and outpatient ward rounds. I was able to see robotic surgeries using the Da Vinci robot and I found incredibly intriguing and to put it plainly, SO COOL. The exact movements applied onto the 3d surgeon's console are mirrored by the arms that are placed in the midline laparoscopically; it was as if I was watching a video game and reminding myself that a life and quality of said life was hanging in the balance.

I was thrown into my first surgical viewing experience on my very first day, starting with a Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy. I walked in eyes wide, hoping my pupils would dilate enough to swallow down as much of the room as I could. I might sound dramatic right now but past getting my cat this was one of the most exciting moments of my life. The patient was suspended in a steep Trendelenburg Position (head lowered down and feet up). I learned that this is done to move the intestines away from the pelvis so that the surgical field is less obstructed, giving way for a clearer view of the prostate and bladder. The Camera port was placed in the midline above the umbilicus to see within the peritoneal cavity, a small incision is made and the camera trocar is inserted. Now that we could see into the abdomen, further incisions were made for the instrument ports to be placed on either side for robotic arms, and additional assistance ports for suturing, retraction and passing sutures. The surgeon took a seat at the console after everything had been added and thus, the very 1st surgery began, with me thinking may the odds be ever in our patient's favour. Getting to see the insides of a real human body was surreal. Despite normal people having dreams of flying and ponies, this is the closest i've gotten to living my dreams of becoming a doctor. I got to see 11 more wonderfully successful surgeries after this, ranging from more RARPs to TURBTs. The aching in my legs for standing for hours only hit me after the surgeries as the excitement and adrenaline of witnessing the repair of our anatomical bodies, weaving flesh with a second chance at a comfortable life, was too staggering for me to focus on much else. If my legs hurt this much then, I can only imagine what it will be like when I have to stand there with actual work to do. This experience gave me a newfound appreciation for surgeons and amoutn of skill and hardwork they do. My favourite part was seeing the Monopolar Curved Scissors in action. Watching it in use was incredible — the way it cut through tissue while sealing blood vessels, with the tissue burning slightly under the tips, was so striking and mind-blowing. Seeing the surgeon control the console and watch those tiny robotic arms perform such precise work was honestly one of the most exciting parts of my week. Moments like this made me even more passionate about pursuing surgery.

The inpatient and outpatient interactions were just as much rewarding and plainly put, fun. Being part of ward rounds and outpatient clinics gave me a sense of what it’s like to talk with patients, hear their experiences, and see how even small improvements can make a big difference in their day. Seeing the relief on their faces after a positive outcome was incredibly fulfilling and, it reminded me that medicine isn’t just about procedures — it’s about helping people and being part of their care.

All in all, I learnt so much from this placement and I genuinely saw a glimpse of my future within those sterilised walls and thankful faces full of relief from their treatment. As a prospective medical student, I would say aim to do a work experience where you are allowed within an operating theatre, not for the personal statement or bragging rights but the genuine excitement and exposure to a medical setting, for the opportunity to actually scrub in and see if this is really for you!