Medics Conference

A conference for aspiring medical students at local state-sector partner schools, organised and hosted by NHEHS students.

Aims

The aim of the conference was to give future
medics an insight into a career in healthcare and to gain some ‘real-world’ experience.

Lack of opportunity for medical work placements  due to the pandemic preventing face-to-face work experience.

Students from local partner schools having access to the experience and insight of medical professionals, and working in teams with other students to experience the diagnostic process.

The beneficiaries were identified as being Y12&13 Students from local partner schools in terms of University applications and aspirations.

 

Background

NHEHS students identified that whilst virtual work experience programmes had been useful, they lacked the interactive, ‘hands on’ approach that an in-person placement provides.

This was the first year of the conference, but the intention is to make it an annual event, and widen the reach to more local state schools.

Resources

The day comprised doctor-led interactive sessions, each centred around a case study, with students and the doctor working together to reach and agree on a treatment plan. There were three of these sessions and also a Q & A session where the students were able to find out more about a career in Medicine or about the journey to being a healthcare professional.

Access to medical professionals is essential.

School facilities used were a venue for students to work in teams.

There was no financial contribution required from partner schools.

Teaching staff with the responsibility for coordinating medics applications and their preparation worked with the NHEHS students during the planning and organisation of the conference.

 

Impact

This was a great opportunity for students to showcase their passion for Medicine and gain an insight into medical
careers. 

There has been no formal Impact Assessment yet, but the intention would be to track the number of successful Medical applications from delegates.

Pupil Involvement

It was open to students from Years 12 and 13 at local state partner schools interested in studying Medicine.

Students from each of the delegate schools were put into mixed groups, so it mimicked the way this might happen as part of a medical diagnostic team.

The students attending were male and female.

 

Frequency

This is planned to be an annual event.