From Respiratory Wards to Reflective Themes
Fourth year has hands down been the most difficult year of medicine so far. From travelling abroad to present my poster, to juggling placements and cramming for exams, it’s been hectic to say the least.
I’m currently on my Acute Medicine rotation, moving through Respiratory, Cardiology, Care of the Elderly, GI, and Renal. So far, I’ve really enjoyed it. My two weeks in Respiratory were particularly eye-opening — I encountered patients with TB, COPD, and various types of lung cancer, each one complex in its own way when it comes to diagnosis and management. The more time I spend on the medical wards, the more I find myself seriously considering a career in medicine. That said, surgery still feels like the front-runner.
Having now completed my Community rotation — Psychiatry and GP — I can say with confidence that neither is for me. The doctors were incredibly kind and supportive, but the specialties just didn’t feel like the right fit. That said, Psychiatry did surprise me. I’d gone into it expecting to dislike it, but I was genuinely moved by the complexity of the conditions and how transformative the treatment can be. Watching patients go from feeling completely consumed by darkness to reclaiming their lives was inspiring. Still, the long path to having true input as a consultant — with years spent primarily writing notes and documenting everything as a junior — made me realise it’s not for me.
Fourth year has also come with its fair share of challenges outside the clinical setting. One of the things I’ve struggled with most is what I can only describe as “Shark” behaviour — the sense that some people will do whatever it takes to get ahead. It’s baffling. There’s no grand prize at the end, just a computer matching us to jobs, yet the backbiting and constant comparison never seems to end. This year has really tested my ability to block out the noise and focus on the things that matter — ticking off the necessary boxes without getting pulled into the drama. I’ve made the conscious decision not to take part in it. I’ll never understand the logic behind tearing others down to elevate yourself.
Looking ahead, I’ll soon be presenting my Student Selected Component (SSC). It’s been a very different kind of project for me. I’m used to working with numbers and data, drawing conclusions from quantitative analysis. This time, I’ve found myself doing thematic analysis — reading through interviews and identifying patterns across people’s responses. The goal is to explore why students choose to stay in Essex for their FY1 jobs or why they decide to leave. It’s completely out of my comfort zone, but I’m curious to see how it all comes together, and I’ll share more once it’s complete.
At the end of the year, I’ll be doing my elective. I’ve decided to stay in the UK for it so I can spend more time with my family. Had this been my first degree and I was younger, I probably would’ve looked to go abroad. But this year has made me realise how valuable quality time with family really is, and I want to make the most of it.
It feels surreal to be entering Final Year. The journey so far has been full of challenges, and while I’m excited to finally be nearing the end, there’s also a sense of uncertainty about what’s ahead. Final year is notorious for being full of tick-box exercises and unpredictable shifts in direction. I started this blog back in first year, and though I haven’t always been the most consistent with it, looking back on how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown is something I’m really proud of. I’m looking forward to what this final stretch has in store.
