Levelling The Playing Field: Insights From Online Doctor Interviews With ‘The Aspiring  Medics’

Vidisha Handoo

Namaskar Sarnee!

My name is Vidisha and I’m a 3rd Year Medical student at King’s College London. 

Unlike the Kashmiri stereotype, I do not come from a long line of doctors. Being the first one in my family to pursue a medical career, applying to medical school was an overwhelming experience – I had no idea what to expect. Applying to Medical School is a ruthless journey with multiple hurdles: entrance exams, A-levels, personal statement, extracurriculars, interviews and beyond. For individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or without connections in the field – the application process can be especially intimidating. 

It was during this time that I initially discovered and connected with ‘The Aspiring Medics’: a social enterprise levelling the playing field for Medicine applicants. Whilst other companies exploit students by charging exorbitant fees, this online-platform provides free online courses and webinars, accompanied by certifications for participants. They comprehensively address every aspect of the application process. 

A crucial criteria for the Medical School application is demonstrating an understanding of the medical profession, assessed in personal statements and interviews. While many students typically secure work experience through their GPs and connections in hospital, I faced challenges in this regard due to lack of personal connections and constraints imposed by the onset of COVID-19. In response, I took the initiative at my school’s medical society and organised weekly webinars. Using LinkedIn, I reached out to doctors in various specialties, inviting them for Zoom interviews. Each week featured a different specialty, and I posed questions about their work, daily routines, the highlights, challenges, and delved into their diverse interests. 

After getting into Medical School, I wanted to give back to the organisation that supported my journey. I persisted in conducting these sessions, now integrated into a national teaching program within their online course. I was privileged to involve doctors spanning diverse specialties like Aesthetic Medicine, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, and Anaesthesia. I extend my appreciation to 

Dr. Shivani Dudha and Dr. Anju Raina from KPAE, who kindly agreed to support this initiative and share their experiences. 

A key insight I gained was a greater appreciation of the wonderful diversity within the medical field. Every specialty showcases its own individual characteristics, from the amount of patient interaction, number of hours worked, types of case presentations that appear to the daily duties of doctors. However, a shared commitment to patient care binds all the specialties together. 

As doctors presented to aspiring medics, it not only served as a valuable resource for students, but also offered me a chance to explore potential career paths and broaden my professional network. 

You can access these interviews and numerous others for free on The Aspiring Medics’ online work experience platform! 

Visit https://courses.theaspiringmedics.co.uk/p/medicine-online-work-experience

Make sure to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @theaspiringmedics.

If you’re a doctor who would be able to give a presentation, I would greatly appreciate if you could drop me an email.

If you’re applying to Medical School or considering applying, my inbox is always open, and I’m more than happy to help. 

[email protected] 

Thank you!