Stay in Your Lane

Another week of placement down—seven more to go before summer.

This week, I began my rotation in Care of the Elderly (Geriatrics), a placement I had completely dreaded and expected to enjoy the least. But maybe I had judged it too quickly. Elderly patients presenting to hospital come with a myriad of issues: uncontrolled diabetes, crippling depression, violent diarrhoea due to colitis, and, just for good measure, a renal tumour. And no, that’s not a list of different patients—that could all belong to one.

Geriatrics often means managing complex cases bundled into individuals who frequently struggle to advocate for themselves. And that’s just the medical side. There’s also a web of social complications—family dynamics, safeguarding concerns, questions of independence and care needs. In some ways, it feels like constantly putting out fires. But it’s not as awful as I imagined. In fact, it’s a real challenge to bring these patients to a place where they’re medically fit—and that struggle is oddly satisfying.

Now, I’m not going to pretend I’m the most dedicated medical student when it comes to placements. I try my best to show up and to be present for the patients—because in a year, that will be my role. I’ve been fortunate to be placed in a hospital where the teaching has been brilliant. We’ve had simulations with bleeps, mock ward rounds, patient interactions—you name it. But that’s just it: they’re simulations. Valuable, yes. But there’s no greater teacher than the real thing.

It can be demoralising when you’re constantly reminded of others spending ten-hour days within the hospital, flaunting their hours and indirectly suggesting your five modest hours are inadequate. But here’s the truth: attending every teaching session and then spending your free time tucked away in the library or a common room could actually be less useful than getting on the ward and just doing the job. Avoiding the wards now won’t help you when it’s your name on the drug chart next year.

That’s the point I’m trying to make.

There is no need to obsess over what others are doing. You’re in charge of your time—and of the learning opportunities you choose to take. I personally believe the wards and real patient contact are the most valuable use of my time. Others might prefer simulations or case discussions, and that’s fine. But flaunting hours, or subtly putting down someone else’s approach, helps no one.

This isn’t just about medicine. Whatever your field, don’t compare your choices to someone else’s highlight reel. If you’re feeling insecure, the answer isn’t to undermine your peer. The answer is to pause, reflect, and stay in your lane.