Are local, speciality specific career days beneficial for medical students and foundation doctors? (2016)

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Barker V., *Godden M., *Jones C., *Panikkar J.

Citation:
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, December 2016, vol./is. 123/(6-7)

Abstract:
The Health Education Midlands holds an annual career day for all specialities to attend, allowing all medical students and foundation doctors to explore different specialities within the local area. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also provide a careers day, for anyone to attend. Both of these are useful resources however do have some limitations due to number of delegates attending and also number of specialities in attendance. Our local obstetrics and gynaecology school held a pilot, local, careers days to allow any medical student from 4th year and above and any foundation doctor within the region, the opportunity to attend. The day consisted of a variety informal presentations about the 'day in a life' and was given by a variety of trainees across the school. The deputy head of school also came and provided more specific information on training pathways. The day also included several workshops covering resilience, CV building, and practical skills. The informal nature meant that the delegates could feel free to ask any of us any questions they wish to do so during the process. The delegates were asked to provide feedback at the end of the day. We had a total of 42 delegates, of which the majority found the day useful, we did not receive any negative feedback. We hope that the delegates can use this experience when deciding on future careers. We are intending on repeating the careers day again.

Link to full-text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.14447/epdf