umat/ medicine at Newcastle

[Lexicographer]

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Originally Posted by Merethrond

How old are you going to be by the time you finish the Medicine Degree, if you get into Medicine next year!

It's funny you ask that. Here in the "West" people often say they want to see a "young" doctor, because they'll have more up to date knowledge, as well as a more moderate, understanding and tolerant stance regarding modern issues (recreational drug use, casual sex, etc). They don't feel like your father/mother, someone who'll scold you for immoral behaviour, but rather an equal you can share anything with.

But I read in the "East" (eg Japan) the preference lies with older doctors for their patience, experience and typically easygoing, paternal nature. After all, would you sue the PBS doctor on TV? Does he look like someone who'd screw up your vasectomy, or does he have enough experience to get it right?

Older doctors are cool too.

[Lexicographer]

Oh that reminds me, I read an article some months back about how older women (say middle-aged mothers with grown-or-growing-up kids) are making far better nursing students (and subsequently nurses) than their younger peers because they have more patience towards patients. This is said to be an effect of their experiences in the demanding atmosphere created by bringing up children (often several).

What do you guys think? Would your mother make a good nurse?

[Bob.J]

im turning 20 next year so it'll be 24 when i've finished the med course (thats if i do it at UNCLE from next year)

forgot to quote but this was in reply to Merethrond

[SoCal]

Originally Posted by Lexicographer

It's funny you ask that. Here in the "West" people often say they want to see a "young" doctor, because they'll have more up to date knowledge, as well as a more moderate, understanding and tolerant stance regarding modern issues (recreational drug use, casual sex, etc). They don't feel like your father/mother, someone who'll scold you for immoral behaviour, but rather an equal you can share anything with.

But I read in the "East" (eg Japan) the preference lies with older doctors for their patience, experience and typically easygoing, paternal nature. After all, would you sue the PBS doctor on TV? Does he look like someone who'd screw up your vasectomy, or does he have enough experience to get it right?

Older doctors are cool too.

Hmm, I didn't mean to say that old doctors are bad, what I meant was that he is waisting a lot of time going to University doing a different dgreee.

Originally Posted by Lexicographer

What do you guys think? Would your mother make a good nurse?

Good point, and fair enough.

Originally Posted by Bob.J

im turning 20 next year so it'll be 25 when i've finished the med course (thats if i do it at UNCLE from next year)

Oh, that is not too old then. Good luck.

[Bob.J]

[quote=Merethrond]Hmm, I didn't mean to say that old doctors are bad, what I meant was that he is waisting a lot of time going to University doing a different dgreee.

Well i don't see the harm in learning a little extra stuff. In the big picture a few more years at uni can't hurt. It'll give us all a little more perspective eh?

[+Po1ntDeXt3r+]

surprisingly our concern isnt their learnin..
most of the younger med students consider that their want to learn is good..
but if they takes a HECS place.. thats 4-6 yrs.. and to become a full doctor.. u will need 11-15 yrs
if they are 60 then they would be 71-75 before they are done

it will hav lil returns.. which is a worry since this is taxpayers money.. and there is a doctor shortage too..
where is the returns to community? its all economics

[Lexicographer]

Interesting that comments about the social attitudes towards the age of doctors would garner such irrelevant comments about my course (which, by the way, is plainly displayed below each of my posts).

Bob.J: I'm also turning 20 next year, but at this point (ie the third decade) age doesn't seem to be much of an issue. Even doctors trained well into their thirties can give at least two decades of fully functional service (assuming retirement at 65, something that seems to happen less and less).

Estel: Ignore him, the only ones worth paying attention to are those with creative insults. Anything less is just dull.

Bob.J again: I like that view...I'm starting to think that I might not be so quick to snap up any offer for a place that comes my way. Right now I'm in a brilliant course at an excellent uni with insanely envious prospects, and I know that if I leave for a course I only half want (eg Medicine at JCU) then I'll miss my old course and be unhappy. There will always be graduate entry after all, and like you said, the experience of prior learning in a different field is never wasted.

I got another interview offer from Newcastle today. Anyone else? How do you feel about it?

[vicksta]

I got an interview offer too...arrrgh im still so undecided...Lexicographer, you'd be able to help - do you think its a good thing to jmp straight into a med course after finishing year 12, or would it be better to take a year off and get some worldly experiences, or do another degree and do grad med???
I already had my interview for UNSW, and im keen to do the Newcastle interview too, but my parents are fully saying that im too young and that i need to get out into the world and have experiences before i devote my life to something as big as medicine.....
Advice badly needed here!!!

[Lexicographer]

To be honest, you're asking the wrong question. Do YOU think you've got what it takes, right now, to make a good doctor? After all, they're going to give you all the knowledge and understanding you need to practice medicine, but they can't teach you the personality you'll need to deal with patients every day.

Maybe graduate medicine is an option worth looking at? The best bet really is going to interview and seeing what the interviewers think of you - they're much better qualified than me at deciding who is ready to become a doctor-in-training than I am.

Hmm, I guess that's my advice then. Go to the interview, as yourself, and have a chat. Talk to the interviewers about your concerns, discuss the issues. Who knows, perhaps just by worrying about them you've already proven something worthwhile?

[+Po1ntDeXt3r+]

lexi's right.. but tats judgin by ure story.. if ure keen enough.. it will be more interestin to do med now..
srsly.. i thought i wasnt ready.. cos im too immature..
-moved out of home..
-study med..

but then i made it this far no fails... and its been a hard but worthwhile time..

realise that grad med entry is REALLI competitive.. and after that.. newcastle is the best option in my opinion.. cos its both grads and yr 12.. very challenging without losing sight of ur goals say if u did another course..

// edit: actualli lexi.. med schools do teach u to alter ure personality.. within physiological limits all good unis hav comprehensive behaviour subjects..

[gordo]

i got my letter in the mail yesterday inviting me to an interview there

any tips?

[jessum]

i got an interview too!! i was so stoked, coz i really didnt think i would and i so desperately wanted one. now i have to work extra hard in these darned exams so that i can get a decent uai and give myself a chance.
im so exxcited!!
yeh and any tips? what do they ask?
and should i apply for a bonded place?

[m111]

Ahhh!!! Well done you guys!!! That's no small achievement (and ur givin the rest of us hope... lol) !!! I'm soooo excited for u all!!! Heads down bums up for the HSC now - all the best guys!!!

[Lexicographer]

Originally Posted by +Po1ntDeXt3r+

actualli lexi.. med schools do teach u to alter ure personality.. within physiological limits all good unis hav comprehensive behaviour subjects..

Yeah but they can't just take someone who is completely unsuitable and mould them into superdoc...you need to be within the margins so to speak.

Good luck everyone! I think the best advice I can really give after going through the interview last year is BE YOURSELF. Don't try to cover up your inadequacies by airbrushing your achievements, they'll see through you in a moment. It's much better to show them that you know your limitations and weaknesses, and can address them seriously.

Also, try to be comfortable. They're very friendly up in steeltown (must be the wine) and you've got nothing to be afraid of. Loosen up, tell a joke, make friends with your interviewers.

[vicksta]

Thanks lexi, thats helpful. I mean, i think i can do it, and I think im good doctor material, but i guess my parents are just thinking what would be best for me, etc etc blah blah. I'll do the interview...and take it from there...heheh i prob wont even get in!!