Unfortunately, on the day of taking the BMAT I was shocked to be informed that the exam invigilators were unaware of the extra time that I had been given as a result of my dyslexia.
I had sat the exam the previous year and had extra time, achieving a good result that I felt reflected my aptitude well.Unfortunately I had to drop out of school that year for health reasons and I am currently sitting year 13 to complete my A levels.
However, this year I was panicked by the prospect of having to sit the exam with less time than I needed, and was interrupted throughout sitting the test with updates on whether I would get my extra time or not. I was devastated coming out of the test, knowing that my performance had been inhibited. And my fears were realised yesterday by a disappointing BMAT result. After being offered interview last year from UCL, I am worried that this year I will fall short of this opportunity.
But I will come back fighting! If I don't achieve a place in the next year I will keep trying until my dream is fulfilled.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Adjustable Liquid Filled Glasses- Of course!
Chatting to my GP, I was enthused to hear of the invention of glasses that could be adjusted to the individual's sight without the need for an optometrist. I was surprised that I hadn't heard of this sooner!
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver
It is one of those ideas that makes absolute sense, why hadn't this sleek design been stumbled upon before?! But it was the mind of Josh Silver, Professor of Physics at Oxford University, to answer his own question of the possibility of adjustable lenses. I was also delighted to see that the aim for this was 'to offer glasses to a billion of the world's poorest people by 2020'. Making the glasses to your prescription- not the other way around.
This is a brilliant example of how physics can be applied to aid medical needs of the many. As a physics student, fascinated by light and vision, it is an exciting prospect. I also admire the charitable nature of Silver's ambition and like to see it as a flagship for how academia can improve the quality of life for so many in need. I find this truly inspirational.
Here's a link to a TED talk, with the prof himself showing how they can be used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpKWHSsBpnE
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver
This is a brilliant example of how physics can be applied to aid medical needs of the many. As a physics student, fascinated by light and vision, it is an exciting prospect. I also admire the charitable nature of Silver's ambition and like to see it as a flagship for how academia can improve the quality of life for so many in need. I find this truly inspirational.
Here's a link to a TED talk, with the prof himself showing how they can be used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpKWHSsBpnE
Friday, 31 October 2014
Dyslexia Diagnosis at long last...
After years upon years of feeling stupid and covering up my weaknesses, at the age of 18 I finally had a dyslexia test at my school. I tell you, after putting so much hard work and effort into my English GCSEs it was a hugely triumphant moment to discover that I achieved A*s with this difficulty in information processing.
Telling people about my diagnosis, I got 'about time!' and 'I always knew it' to things from my grandmother like 'you can't be dyslexic, you're intelligent!'. As we know, however, dyslexia occurs independently of intelligence. But for me, it was just a massive relief for my difficulties to actually be recognised for the first time. I also was told that my IQ was in the top 2% of the population- a real confidence boost.
My school were not very keen for me to have the test done, but after a lot of convincing they agreed, and I now have a very much needed extra time for my exams. I really hope that anyone who suspects dyslexia is able to get tested and get support as soon as possible- mine came late but I already feel like a massive weight has been lifted!
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Ebola- a preventable outbreak?
I recently gave a talk on the nature of the Ebola virus, also covering the political and social issues bought up by the recent outbreak at my Medical Club (as part of the medical society at my school that I set up a few years back). There was a great turn out with the number of interested students, it has obviously captured the attention of us all.
The Ebola virus causes Ebola haemorrhagic fever (also known as Ebola virus disease). The first outbreak of the disease was in 1976, there were two simultaneous outbreaks and the name comes from the Ebola River, near to Yambuku where one of them started. The current outbreak is the largest since its discovery. There are five known species of the Ebolavirus, with three associated with the large outbreaks in Africa.
The host of this potentially-deadly virus is the fruit bat of the Pteropodidae family, and is spread to the human population by close contact with bodily fluids such as blood, of infected animals. Burial ceremonies are thought to have a major impact on transmission, due to the direct contact with the deceased. Humans are only infectious after the incubation period, and symptoms appear. WHO states ' First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.'
I found the BBC's Horizon and Panorama coverage of the disease to be insightful, with footage of the centres set up to mitigate the impacts and workers in their extensive protective clothing and procedures. There was a great deal of distressing footage of ebola orphans and patients near-paralysed with the virus. I chose to show some clips in my presentation to give students a real idea of the horrific impacts of such a tiny organism.
I did feel, however, that a majority of the news coverage was focused on the possibility of the virus spreading to 'us' as opposed to empathy for the people suffering and action to help in any way possible.
There was a large discussion on the possibility, in retrospect, of whether the outbreak could've been prevented or stopped in its tracks earlier. After all, we have been aware of the disease since the 1970s.
(This post is in progress...)
The host of this potentially-deadly virus is the fruit bat of the Pteropodidae family, and is spread to the human population by close contact with bodily fluids such as blood, of infected animals. Burial ceremonies are thought to have a major impact on transmission, due to the direct contact with the deceased. Humans are only infectious after the incubation period, and symptoms appear. WHO states ' First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.'
I found the BBC's Horizon and Panorama coverage of the disease to be insightful, with footage of the centres set up to mitigate the impacts and workers in their extensive protective clothing and procedures. There was a great deal of distressing footage of ebola orphans and patients near-paralysed with the virus. I chose to show some clips in my presentation to give students a real idea of the horrific impacts of such a tiny organism.
I did feel, however, that a majority of the news coverage was focused on the possibility of the virus spreading to 'us' as opposed to empathy for the people suffering and action to help in any way possible.
There was a large discussion on the possibility, in retrospect, of whether the outbreak could've been prevented or stopped in its tracks earlier. After all, we have been aware of the disease since the 1970s.
(This post is in progress...)
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Books from an ex-medical student...
With no medics in my family, I had been searching for a mentor that could give me advice on the entire process of becoming a doctor. Thankfully, I came into communication with a student that had dropped out of medical school a year ago; this was after realising that her parents wanted her to follow that career, but it was not something that she wanted to pursue. I became increasingly aware of what a major commitment studying medicine is, and that you need to make sure that your decision is thoroughly thought through.
I was delighted to be given many of her books from the period she was studying medicine. Anatomy has fascinated me since childhood, and now I had detailed textbooks of human anatomy! In my spare time I use these books for pleasure reading, but also helping my A level subjects by providing a deeper knowledge base for subjects like biology. The books included: Vanders Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, One stop doc- Cell and Molecular Biology and Clinically Orientated Anatomy. I have now grown to realise the sheer academic rigour required for studying the subject, and this continues to inspire me.
I was delighted to be given many of her books from the period she was studying medicine. Anatomy has fascinated me since childhood, and now I had detailed textbooks of human anatomy! In my spare time I use these books for pleasure reading, but also helping my A level subjects by providing a deeper knowledge base for subjects like biology. The books included: Vanders Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, One stop doc- Cell and Molecular Biology and Clinically Orientated Anatomy. I have now grown to realise the sheer academic rigour required for studying the subject, and this continues to inspire me.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Photos from my trip to India
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Adventure To India
I was on the train- destination Heathrow- and it finally dawned on me: I was going to India alone. The previous year I had researched medical intern-ships abroad, I was desperate to see healthcare in a developing country after completing some experience in the UK. I found a place for this; based in Jodhpur in the Royal state of Rajasthan, and I was not hesitant to book a month there (the chance to observe live surgeries was just to tempting!).
Upon my arrival, in contrast to the culture shock I was warned of, I fell in love with India. I was, however, dubious about the hospital I was staying and working in as the tuk tuk pulled up. It looked nothing like the generic western hospitals I was used to, it looked more like housing! But as I walked in with my supervisor, I was reassured by the friendly doctors and familiar equipment that, I would not feel entirely alien here. My room was at the top of Raj Hospital (A/C, thankfully); I was told about the outline of my work days here and soon felt quite at home. Shortly after my orientation around the town, I collapsed to sleep; the time, travelling, and especially the long changeover in Delhi, had got to me.
My first day was the most difficult. It was frustrating not being able to understand Hindi (the language spoken in Jodhpur) although the staff did exercise their varying levels of English gladly on me. As I spent an hour or two on the wards, I couldn't help but compare the practice of medicine to that of London. The standards of hygiene were the most shocking; a very lax attitude relative to what I was made accustom to at home. However, the quality of the practice seemed equal- minus the fancy equipment and strict regulations- patient records format was very similar. Raj was a private hospital, as all but one government hospital in Jodhpur were; you had to pay for your own treatment etc, but had a lot more power over when you wanted to receive it. You could chose when you wanted your surgery, it was not dictated and with a sometimes horrendously long waiting time as in the NHS system. I was eager to make it into theatre that day, to see my first ever live surgery. This happened to be a hysterectomy, which turned out to be the most common one performed in my time at the hospital. (I will complete further posts giving detail of the surgeries).
I think that the greatest culture shock I experienced was the relaxed attitude of the staff. Team surgery only got going once a patient arrived after their game of cards was complete. Mobile phones were never turned off; in fact, they answer them during the surgery. By the end of my time I was fully trained at answering surgeons' mobiles and holding it to their ear as an unconscious body lay before them. Saying this, I must reiterate the shear skill of the people in theatre in that hospital. I adored surgery as a speciality-the results before you were shown, hence making the job very satisfying.
My time there was somewhat disrupted by illness. I ended up being treated in the the same hospital that I was working in, by the same staff that I was shadowing. Although only semi-conscious at the time, I remember being put on drips on three different occasions; but thankfully my new friends were on hand to take photos so I can look back now at myself on hospital beds there! I now have experience of healthcare in India from both sides, this can only be taken as benefit in my mind...
The experience I gained was near incomprehensible. I saw 24 surgeries all-in-all, including 2 impressively quick cataract surgeries and one electric burn case. The breadth of my observations highlighted the awe- inducing skill of the individual surgeons, as well as giving me insight into different procedures. Living in India for a month taught me some valuable life skills; I was in an alien country, with an alien language, working and exploring an alien area. I picked up very strongly the 'I know a man' attitude, with people going to specific doctors as well as other things; but also the strong business mindset of practically everyone there. Poverty was prominent, with many people living on the street and begging as well as the need for more orphanages.
I saw two caesarean sections! Births right before my eyes. And it was truly awe- inspiring...if a bit too similar to the 'Alien' films...Now I was never warned of what specific operation would be carried out whilst I was there; so, as you can probably imagine, seeing a woman being cut and ripped open and baby roughly pulled out came as a bit of a shock after witnessing numerous commonplace hysterectomies. I have to say, that the usual vague romance to what childbirth may seem, was completely unfounded in my personal experience. But nonetheless, I felt very privileged to be present as a proud woman entered into the role of mother.
The electric burn case: a boy aged 8 with burns on his head, abdomen and left leg. This was the only surgery I saw where the anaesthesia suppressed respiration, so intubation was needed to pump air into the patient's lungs manually. In preparation for operating, the staff- as usual- covered the body to expose only the areas needed; but by the time this was completed, I must say that the entire operating theatre looked like a scene from 'Saw'...very cool but odd. I noticed the head injury which left the skull exposed, as well as the right thigh also left exposed- I guessed that a skin graft was going to be performed. And I was correct, after wounds were cleaned a split thickness skin graft took place; this involved shaving a thin layer of skin from the thigh to use on the skull. I was shocked by the use of hammer and chisel on the skull before this happened...and I still have no idea why that was necessary. I was particularly inspired by this surgery as there was such a large team involved in this one patient- everyone had their own roles to ensure the best care.
I managed to get in contact with the most well- known eye surgeons in the area, and went to shadow him whenever I could. I saw cataract operations, using microscopes the surgeon himself was using to operate. These surgeries could be done under only local anaesthetic, and no stitches were needed. This was precise surgery on a minute scale. Lignocaine was used as local anaesthetic injection and once in theatre, the cataract was broken up and removed before a new lens replaced the old. What was even more impressive, was the time in which these were performed- always under 10 minutes. This type of operation is particularly important in third world countries, where cataracts are common- but the poverty means that many can't afford treatment. Luckily, I discovered that there are charities to help with those problems and that the surgeon I was with worked with them to provide care.
When my position of regional hockey player became known, I was invited to a local school to give a speech on sports and exercise. I was greeted traditional, by the end of the welcoming ceremony I was fashioning a bindi and feeling sufficiently special. As an experienced public speaker, I don't usually get too nervous in that kind of situation, but the fact that I needed a translator meant that I was unaware of what was actually being communicated to the students. For some reason, I think my explanation of exercise's effect on the brain involving nurerogenesis and BDMF was missed out. The hall was decorated with welcome greetings to a 'Miss Catriona Ailsa Osborn Moar', with photographers and various important people (the chairman for Mayo etc). Flowers and a trophy were presented to me after I was shown around the school, oh and of course after being near force fed various goodies as with anywhere I went. Autographs were wanted by the students, which was challenging in itself! After I left, I was informed that an all girls' hockey team was to be set up in my honour, and that I would be welcomed back to the school any time.
I managed to fit in some travelling and site seeing, too, but this is a little irrelevant to this blog...although amazing too!
Upon my arrival, in contrast to the culture shock I was warned of, I fell in love with India. I was, however, dubious about the hospital I was staying and working in as the tuk tuk pulled up. It looked nothing like the generic western hospitals I was used to, it looked more like housing! But as I walked in with my supervisor, I was reassured by the friendly doctors and familiar equipment that, I would not feel entirely alien here. My room was at the top of Raj Hospital (A/C, thankfully); I was told about the outline of my work days here and soon felt quite at home. Shortly after my orientation around the town, I collapsed to sleep; the time, travelling, and especially the long changeover in Delhi, had got to me.
My first day was the most difficult. It was frustrating not being able to understand Hindi (the language spoken in Jodhpur) although the staff did exercise their varying levels of English gladly on me. As I spent an hour or two on the wards, I couldn't help but compare the practice of medicine to that of London. The standards of hygiene were the most shocking; a very lax attitude relative to what I was made accustom to at home. However, the quality of the practice seemed equal- minus the fancy equipment and strict regulations- patient records format was very similar. Raj was a private hospital, as all but one government hospital in Jodhpur were; you had to pay for your own treatment etc, but had a lot more power over when you wanted to receive it. You could chose when you wanted your surgery, it was not dictated and with a sometimes horrendously long waiting time as in the NHS system. I was eager to make it into theatre that day, to see my first ever live surgery. This happened to be a hysterectomy, which turned out to be the most common one performed in my time at the hospital. (I will complete further posts giving detail of the surgeries).
I think that the greatest culture shock I experienced was the relaxed attitude of the staff. Team surgery only got going once a patient arrived after their game of cards was complete. Mobile phones were never turned off; in fact, they answer them during the surgery. By the end of my time I was fully trained at answering surgeons' mobiles and holding it to their ear as an unconscious body lay before them. Saying this, I must reiterate the shear skill of the people in theatre in that hospital. I adored surgery as a speciality-the results before you were shown, hence making the job very satisfying.
My time there was somewhat disrupted by illness. I ended up being treated in the the same hospital that I was working in, by the same staff that I was shadowing. Although only semi-conscious at the time, I remember being put on drips on three different occasions; but thankfully my new friends were on hand to take photos so I can look back now at myself on hospital beds there! I now have experience of healthcare in India from both sides, this can only be taken as benefit in my mind...
The experience I gained was near incomprehensible. I saw 24 surgeries all-in-all, including 2 impressively quick cataract surgeries and one electric burn case. The breadth of my observations highlighted the awe- inducing skill of the individual surgeons, as well as giving me insight into different procedures. Living in India for a month taught me some valuable life skills; I was in an alien country, with an alien language, working and exploring an alien area. I picked up very strongly the 'I know a man' attitude, with people going to specific doctors as well as other things; but also the strong business mindset of practically everyone there. Poverty was prominent, with many people living on the street and begging as well as the need for more orphanages.
I saw two caesarean sections! Births right before my eyes. And it was truly awe- inspiring...if a bit too similar to the 'Alien' films...Now I was never warned of what specific operation would be carried out whilst I was there; so, as you can probably imagine, seeing a woman being cut and ripped open and baby roughly pulled out came as a bit of a shock after witnessing numerous commonplace hysterectomies. I have to say, that the usual vague romance to what childbirth may seem, was completely unfounded in my personal experience. But nonetheless, I felt very privileged to be present as a proud woman entered into the role of mother.
The electric burn case: a boy aged 8 with burns on his head, abdomen and left leg. This was the only surgery I saw where the anaesthesia suppressed respiration, so intubation was needed to pump air into the patient's lungs manually. In preparation for operating, the staff- as usual- covered the body to expose only the areas needed; but by the time this was completed, I must say that the entire operating theatre looked like a scene from 'Saw'...very cool but odd. I noticed the head injury which left the skull exposed, as well as the right thigh also left exposed- I guessed that a skin graft was going to be performed. And I was correct, after wounds were cleaned a split thickness skin graft took place; this involved shaving a thin layer of skin from the thigh to use on the skull. I was shocked by the use of hammer and chisel on the skull before this happened...and I still have no idea why that was necessary. I was particularly inspired by this surgery as there was such a large team involved in this one patient- everyone had their own roles to ensure the best care.
I managed to get in contact with the most well- known eye surgeons in the area, and went to shadow him whenever I could. I saw cataract operations, using microscopes the surgeon himself was using to operate. These surgeries could be done under only local anaesthetic, and no stitches were needed. This was precise surgery on a minute scale. Lignocaine was used as local anaesthetic injection and once in theatre, the cataract was broken up and removed before a new lens replaced the old. What was even more impressive, was the time in which these were performed- always under 10 minutes. This type of operation is particularly important in third world countries, where cataracts are common- but the poverty means that many can't afford treatment. Luckily, I discovered that there are charities to help with those problems and that the surgeon I was with worked with them to provide care.
When my position of regional hockey player became known, I was invited to a local school to give a speech on sports and exercise. I was greeted traditional, by the end of the welcoming ceremony I was fashioning a bindi and feeling sufficiently special. As an experienced public speaker, I don't usually get too nervous in that kind of situation, but the fact that I needed a translator meant that I was unaware of what was actually being communicated to the students. For some reason, I think my explanation of exercise's effect on the brain involving nurerogenesis and BDMF was missed out. The hall was decorated with welcome greetings to a 'Miss Catriona Ailsa Osborn Moar', with photographers and various important people (the chairman for Mayo etc). Flowers and a trophy were presented to me after I was shown around the school, oh and of course after being near force fed various goodies as with anywhere I went. Autographs were wanted by the students, which was challenging in itself! After I left, I was informed that an all girls' hockey team was to be set up in my honour, and that I would be welcomed back to the school any time.
I managed to fit in some travelling and site seeing, too, but this is a little irrelevant to this blog...although amazing too!
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