NHS Hot Topics: Medicine Interview Course

NHS Hot Topics Session 1: The Pressures of the NHS

18th November, 2024 (19:30 GMT)

Discussion Topics:

• Strikes
• A & E Waiting Times
• GP Practice Shortage

In this session, we’ll look into interview questions based on the complex challenges currently facing the NHS. Over the past few years, pressures on the NHS have intensified due to a combination of factors, making it a critical topic for aspiring medical students.

Knowledge of these challenges demonstrates a well-rounded understanding of the healthcare environment you’re aiming to join. In interviews, being able to discuss the pressures on the NHS such as the impact of junior doctors’ strike in 2023 and propose thoughtful solutions—such as supporting workforce wellbeing, advocating for funding models that ensure sustainability, or embracing digital transformation—can set you apart.

NHS Hot Topics Session 2: Ethical Debates

25th November, 2024 (19:30 GMT)

Discussion Topics:

• Abortion
• Euthanasia

In this session, we’ll explore some interview questions based on the ethical debates currently shaping healthcare and medical practice in the NHS. Ethical awareness is crucial for future doctors, as it underscores decision-making in patient care and reflects core principles of medical practice such as beneficence and non-maleficence in healthcare and its applications. Preparing to discuss these topics helps you understand the real-world challenges they’ll face and demonstrates a strong foundation in ethical considerations, a vital part of medical school interviews.

NHS Hot Topics Session 3: Important Cases

2nd December, 2024 (19:30 GMT)

Discussion Topics:

• Lucy Letby
• Charlie Gard
• Alfie Evans
• Bawa Garba

In this session, we focus on interview questions about notable cases that have shaped NHS policy and practice, highlighting real-world examples that illustrate the challenges and ethical dilemmas within healthcare. Discussing these cases prepares you to understand complex medical-legal issues, the role of healthcare policy, and the real impacts of high-profile cases on patient care, safety, and professional standards.

NHS Hot Topics Session 4: Cost of Living

9th December, 2024 (19:30 GMT)

Discussion Topics:

• Treating diseases caused by lifestyle
• The impact of the cost of living on NHS and healthcare

This session will focus on interview questions about how the rising cost of living impacts the NHS, both for patients and healthcare workers. With inflation affecting everything from basic necessities to housing, the cost of living crisis is placing more pressure on healthcare systems and their staff. Understanding these challenges can give you valuable insights into contemporary healthcare issues and prepare you to discuss how economic factors influence healthcare in your interviews.

NHS Hot Topics Session 5: Reports

16th December, 2024 (19:30 GMT)

Discussion Topics:

• Francis Report
• Lord Darzi Report
• NHS Longterm Plan

In this session, we’ll explore interview questions based on influential reports that shape NHS policies and reforms. Understanding these documents is essential, as they highlight areas in need of improvement, suggest actionable changes, and provide insight into the healthcare challenges facing the NHS today. Key reports, such as the Lord Darzi Report and the Francis Report address a range of critical issues. These include healthcare quality, patient safety, staff welfare, and the ethical implications of healthcare delivery. By examining these reports, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the NHS’s evolving landscape and be better prepared to discuss these topics in interviews.

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