Dr Louise Plumtree is a general practitioner (GP) in the UK, who qualified after a first career in local government and a break as a full-time mum. Here I interview Louise about her experience of getting into medical school later in life with the challenges and rewards that it brings.
Question 1: What were you doing prior to going into medicine?
Louise’s answer: Prior to going to med school I was a full-time mum, looking after 2- and 7-year old boys. Doing the usual mummy things like school runs and dinners. I’d reached a point where I was starting to think about what I wanted to do when returning to work, knowing I didn’t want to go back into local government.
I was interested in science and explored the possibilities of getting into biomedicine. I rang the local hospital and talked to someone at the biomedical labs and they invited me down to have a look. I’d also enrolled in an Access to Science course in the evenings, as my original degree was not scientific-based. They offered me a training post in the lab with a view to continuing to university to obtain a degree in biomedicine. Excited by the prospect of retraining, I took the post part-time and started to experience what it was like to work in a lab.
Question 2: How did you decide upon medicine as a career?
Louise’s answer: This was a two-fold decision. The first was that I had the opportunity of sitting in clinic with a haematologist and it was a like a light bulb moment. It was exciting because it used the scientific knowledge that I enjoyed, but also had the patient contact, which I thought I would be good at. The second was that through my Access to Science course, I knew the college also offered access to medicine.
So at this point I decided upon medicine as a career. I completed the Access to Science course and after a successful application, started the Access to Medicine course.
Question 3: How did you choose a medical school to apply to?
I only applied to one med school that was in close proximity to my home. This was due to family commitments, knowing I couldn’t commute too far. However, I would advise others to apply to more than one school if they can, as it increases your chances of getting accepted.
Question 4: So how did you get into medical school?
Louise’s answer: I had to study to A-level standard in one year all the science subjects; maths, physics, chemistry and biology, plus I had to do a research project in one of the subjects. Most people who have scientific research backgrounds might not have to do this, but this depends on the medical school to which they are applying.
It is assumed that all medical school applicants will achieve top grades so in order to stand out from the rest, you have to have extracurricular activities. Being a parent is a bonus because it shows you have life experience, however to make my med school application more competitive I volunteered at a local centre that specialised in the day care of people with multiple sclerosis. I went to the centre twice a week for an afternoon at a time and helped with anything they needed – helping with meals and activities etc. I really enjoyed it and met some great people.
At the med school interview, I was grilled for an hour on not only the scientific aspect about medicine, but also the psychosocial angle of being a clinician. Being a medical doctor can involve difficult human interactions including breaking bad news – they need to know you will be able to handle this emotionally.
Dress smartly. Although difficult to prepare for the interview because each one is individual, there is support available on-line and through various books. Medical schools now often have an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) format with each station testing the qualities deemed necessary for becoming a competent doctor. Having come out of the interview not knowing how well I’d done, I was pleased to receive a conditional offer shortly afterwards.
Question 4: Was there a financial implication of this career change?
Louise’s answer: Obviously I needed to pay to support years of study in medical school, which is 5-6 years depending on the University you choose to study at. I took a student loan to support with tuition fees and other expenses (books etc.). Part of my decision to study close to home, meant that I could live at home during my time at medical school.
Upon graduating, junior doctors in the UK are poorly paid, but there are extra payments for unsocial hours. As you go up the training grades salaries rise and fully qualified specialists are well paid.
Question 5: How did you decide upon your medical speciality?
Louise’s answer: This was difficult but I knew I wanted a career where I had patient contact and continuity of care – getting to know patient’s well enough such that a great doctor-patient relationship improves clinical outcome.
I also had to think about the amount of unsocial hours I worked bearing in mind I had a family. Being a GP allows the flexibility to bend to the needs of your family as needed.
Question 6: What did you find to be the most challenging part of your training?
Louise’s answer: The Access to Medicine course – getting up to speed on four science subjects to A-level standard in one year was tough. The last year of medical school was stressful too, due to the last set of exams and worrying about making the grade.
On the job training, the long shifts that go well beyond your designated hours were also tough, for an older junior doctor with commitments at home. I think it would have been easier in my 20s to take on this challenge. In some posts I was doing 12 day stretches (containing at least four lots of 12 hours shifts within this stretch). On reflection however it was worth all the hard work.
Question 7: What is an average day like in your role as a GP?
Louise’s answer: My day starts at 8.30 am when I see 18 patients plus numerous telephone calls. After morning surgery I have phone calls, paperwork and home visits (including care homes). This is followed by afternoon surgery, which would end typically at 5.40 pm. Then I stay to cover the out of hours until 6.30 pm, which involves further phone calls. My evening consists of more paperwork, including checking blood results, filing paperwork and preparing referral letters.
Other days involve practice meetings and training. Your day can vary if you’re a GPwSI (a GP with a Special Interest). For example, you could specialise in women’s health and run clinics throughout the day at your surgery.
Question 8: What do you enjoy most about being a GP?
Louise’s answer: Patient contact and continuity of care. I enjoy building a professional relationship with my patients and improving their medical care.
I also enjoy the camaraderie of working in the surgery, including the opportunity of interacting with lots of different professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapies, mental health specialists and other secondary care colleagues.
Question 9: What challenges do you face in being a GP?
Louise’s answer: At the minute it’s the increasing pressure brought about through chronic reduced funding to general practice and increased patient needs. A lot of this is out of my control and driven by external factors, including political decisions.
Question 10: What advice do you have for anyone thinking of getting into medicine?
Louise’s answer: Be prepared for hard work and long hours. You need to have a steely commitment to being a medic, I know it’s a cliché, but it really is a vocation. So make sure you’re going into this for all the right reasons – you’ve got to want to care for people.
Like a career in science there are certain sacrifices that need to be made. The hours are so long, therefore it’s difficult to have a highly fulfilling social life outside of medicine. Sacrifices will need to be made. Having said this, as a GP it is easier to work part-time.
Upon reflection although there are challenges in being a medic, I do not regret training and enjoy working in my profession immensely. If you’ve always hankered after being a clinician, it’s well worth going for it!
Please post any questions about this interview below – I look forward to receiving your feedback! Thanks again Louise for sharing your experience of getting into medicine and highlighting the challenges/rewards that it brings.