My decision to peruse medicine is one which I have remained; it was neither spontaneous nor a

bygone conclusion. The hope that a skilful surgeon provided my father by restoring his immobility,
reaffirmed my decision to work in this challenging yet privileged profession helping others.
Developing a strong scientific understanding and making a direct impact towards others' lives is the
most rewarding and stimulating environment in which I want to work.

During my work experience I gained a valuable insight into the rigorous but rewarding nature of a
medical career. Observing consolations with a neurologist taught me the significance of problem-
solving in making diagnoses, which was especially clear when he assessed the auditory ability of a
young patient with a recurrence of bacterial meningitis. Upon seeing the young patient and her
family in distress, the neurologist was sensitive to the family, explaining her condition and the
treatments necessary. The neurologist being reassuring and empathetic reiterated to me the
importance of empathy and communication, which are both vital skills for providing optimal patient
care. Being able to effectively calm the patient down, informed me that a doctor's competence in
quickly establishing rapport and faith is necessary for successful outcomes.Whilst shadowing in the
neurology department, I observed an MDT and learned how patient care is maximised when
healthcare professions with diverse skill sets collaborate to address specific concerns.

Volunteering to care for my elderly relatives has taught me the value of compassion and
understanding, particularly when dealing with mental and physical challenges. Patience,
understanding and clear commutation enabled me to advance meaningful relationships in order to
better understand them. For instance, by routinely visiting them I’ve seen how valuable it is for them
to communicate their concerns and have someone to talk to, which has further motivated me to
work closely with people throughout my career. This also underlined the importance of palliative
care in light of our ageing population.

During my biomedical science degree, I conducted independent research on how DNA technology
can be utilised to design new vaccines in order to broaden my knowledge of medical challenges. I
thoroughly enjoyed learning the advanced scientific and clinical aspects of healthcare. What really
piqued my curiosity was how DNA vaccines can produce antigens from the body’s own cells and
encode several types of genes, meaning the immune system could rapidly respond to infectious
agents. My independent research allowed me to improve my skills in areas such as critical analysis of
scientific papers and data interpretation. These skills are necessary since doctors must continue their
learning in order to deliver optimal care. Discussing my research with my peers strengthened my
motivation to peruse a medical profession; research can help not only extend our understanding of
infections but can also be used to treat patients globally.

Through my family’s charity organisations, I have collaborated with my peers and matured into a
confident leader. Through fundraising activities, I have demonstrated effective teamwork and
leadership skills as well as empathy when encouraging others to help the community. Such qualities
are necessary of a doctor, as are discipline dedication and enthusiasm, in order to be a well-rounded
individual. Outside of university I enjoy playing tennis and exercising which help me maintain a
healthy work-life balance.

Although medicine is neither glamours nor easy, I believe it will provide me with opportunities to
enclose my interest in the scientific, practical and rigorou aspects of healthcare and science, which I
can then apply to benefit others. I believe my academic resilience, skill set acquired and motivation
to practice medicine, will shape me into a well-rounded, dedicated and understanding doctor.