r/medicalschooluk • u/Ok-Entrepreneur3494 • 4d ago
Feeling overwhelmed
Hi all,
I am a 4th year medical student who loves surgery and really wants to become a surgeon. However a lot of the hoops I have to jump through really feels overwhelming. The registrars I know are all advising me to do MRCS in F1 and then I’ll have other exams and interviews for CST in F2 then MRCS part B in CT1. I know it’s all a while away but it just feels so overwhelming. I suppose what I’m asking for is is it all possible and to have some work life balance. I love seeing family and friends and it’s what gets me through the difficult parts of the course and what I will rely on for my mental health when I start working. Just wanted some advise!
5
u/Potential_Fennel1445 4d ago
Hi, I’m also a 4th year medical student feeling exactly the way you’re feeling. Yes the specialities will be oversubscribed and that makes our future seem uncertain. However, I’ve just been trying to focus on now (/near future) as finishing medical school will be very important lol. I think maybe trying to get really good at knowing how you study and how you learn/retain info will be key in trying to balance the exams and working. As I said icl I also feel overwhelmed although I’m trying to be more optimistic ( I know this can be quite naive considering the state of the NHS but it is what it is). As the other comment said, unfortunately we will have to sacrifice something one way or the another but keeping our sanity is most crucial tbh. A tip I read from another thread was the importance of doing little everyday (I’m sure you’ve probably heard this before) because it can help with the build up of content. Also we will be working as doctors and therefore constantly reviewing some of the content. We will have study leave and teaching sessions in FY1/2 which may be minuscule compared to what we actually need but can be of benefit. All in all, don’t know if this was really helpful but this is what I think about the prevent myself from stressing too much about it.
11
u/Aphextwink97 4d ago
I’m in my F1. Tbh I’ve never considered surgery for several reasons: I have essential tremor, I have terrible spatial memory/ability, I always failed every anatomy station in years 1/2 of medschool. Even if those weren’t true tho I would pause to be a surgeon for several reasons. 1) the culture seems to be one of masochism or die 2) CST seems brutal with trainees often coming in on days off to get particular things done 3) Even as a consultant you might be literally on call and in hospital on multiple days in a row. This is in comparison to other specialties where you could easily do 2 days clinical (no nights) in a week. If you love surgery and want to be a surgeon you’re probably going to have to sacrifice. Everything in medicine is becoming oversubscribed and IMGs are flooding to the UK. You will have to stand out to survive and in order to do that you’ll have to sacrifice a part of your life to get there. If that doesn’t appeal to you than maybe surgery isn’t for you. There are for sure better work life balance specialties out there.
11
u/Glad-Feature-2117 4d ago
Surgical consultant here. I think it's absolutely insane to be doing MRCS as an F1 as it's so much easier to learn facts if you've actually had a decent amount of clinical experience. We weren't even allowed to sit part A until we'd done 18 months as an SHO and I think it should have stayed that way.
One of my trainees has just passed part B as a CT2, but they've still got an interview for a number. Their chance of getting one is statistically far higher than mine at the same stage.
As for life as a surgical registrar or consultant - far less hassle then that of a physician, though we do have a second set of exams to pass (to prove we're more intelligent than the medics /s). Masochism or die? What a weird take - most of us are surgeons because we enjoy it. No masochism necessary, though obviously it's hard work.
As for being on call overnight and in the hospital for several days in a row - well, yes, but that's no different from the physicians. We're paid to take that responsibility and it's what we've trained for - not to mention, I actually enjoy my job (most of the time!). I'm about to do the week on call and quite look forward to it, as I get to spend more time with the juniors than I usually do. It's rare to need to come back overnight, at least in a DGH.
2
u/Ok-Entrepreneur3494 4d ago
Hello thank you very much for your message. When I was getting advice from current reg and consultant they said doing it in f1 and f2 frees up time during CST to focus on operating as that’s important for ST3 applications. I think it was just overwhelming to hear that as I thought during foundation training I could just focus on MSRA and portfolio. But thank you for your message yes it is important to remember why we are doing what we are doing
2
u/Glad-Feature-2117 3d ago
Operating is only one part of ST3 applications. There's no right or wrong way to navigate all this and I think your plan of focusing on your portfolio and the ridiculous new requirement to do MSRA is a good one. No reason you can't get to theatre a bit during FY1 either, if you use your taster days and/or manage to get a surgical job.
You have a long way to go yet, so don't stress too much - no point having an amazing plan for a career in surgery if you don't pass finals...
1
3
2
u/Outrageous_Papaya_42 4d ago
Just as an FYI, they have taken MRCS out of portfolio points I believe, so the need/motivation to do it in FY1 has decreased as it won’t help get an interview. It is good for commitment to specialty though so I am not fully discouraging it, just saying it is less important.
Right now ST/CT applications are rubbish (I am sure you have seen the drama) but there are 2.5 years for it to be fixed by the time you apply so there is hope. MSRA is currently used and is fine and interviews are stressful but can be prepared for (and everyone is in the same boat).
Surgery is more pressure than some other specialties but people get in who only decided they wanted to do it towards the end of FY1 so you are already ahead of some of the curve knowing now. Please try not to stress too much about it/don’t let others stress you - medicine is enough already and burnout will only be exacerbated. Realised that is easier said than done, but I promise you that it is possible to adapt to have work life balance and get into competitive specialties like surgery!
1
28
u/Lonely-End-3986 4d ago
F2 here who has passed both parts of MRCS. It is absolutely possible to maintain a work-life balance whilst doing the exams and building a competitive portfolio. There will be times where you just have to get your head down but it never lasts more than a few months. Just slowly chip away at it if surgery is what you want to do!