How to Reflect on Work Experience in Your Application to UK Medical Schools

Applying to medical school in the UK is a competitive process that requires candidates to demonstrate not only academic excellence but also the qualities and attributes necessary to become a successful doctor. Work experience plays a crucial role in showcasing an applicant’s understanding of the medical profession and their suitability for a career in medicine. However, simply listing placements and experiences is not enough; meaningful reflection is essential. This article explores how to effectively reflect on work experience in your application to strengthen your personal statement and interview performance.

Why Reflection Matters

Medical schools are not just looking for students who have completed placements in hospitals, GP surgeries, or care homes; they want to see evidence of insight. Reflection demonstrates:

• A deeper understanding of medicine – beyond the surface-level observations.

• Personal growth – how the experience shaped your motivations and qualities.

• Recognition of challenges – showing awareness of the difficulties in the profession.

• An appreciation for teamwork and communication – critical skills for doctors.

How to Reflect on Your Work Experience

1. Use the ‘What? So What? Now What?’ Framework

A structured approach to reflection helps ensure clarity and depth. This framework, recommended by the General Medical Council (GMC), encourages you to:

• What? Describe the experience briefly – where you were, what you did, and what you observed.

• So What? Explain why the experience was significant – what did it teach you about medicine and yourself?

• Now What? Consider how this experience will influence you as a medical student and future doctor.

This approach is particularly useful for reflecting on single events or long-term experiences, ensuring that you extract meaningful insights. (GMC Guide to Reflective Practice)

2. Focus on Skills and Qualities, Not Tasks

Admissions tutors are not interested in a diary of events; they want to see what you learned. For example, rather than stating, “I shadowed a GP for a week,” reflect on what you gained:

• Communication: “Observing a GP explain a complex diagnosis to a worried patient highlighted the importance of empathy and clear communication. I realised that effective communication is as vital as clinical knowledge in patient care.”

• Resilience and teamwork: “Working in a care home taught me patience and resilience. Assisting residents during meals required teamwork with nurses and carers, reinforcing my appreciation for multidisciplinary collaboration.”

3. Highlight Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Doctors face complex ethical dilemmas daily. Demonstrating an awareness of these challenges shows maturity. For example:

• “During my placement, I observed a doctor discussing a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) order with a patient’s family. I realised how delicate ethical discussions are in medicine, requiring compassion and clarity. This experience made me appreciate the responsibility doctors carry when making difficult decisions.”

4. Link Your Experience to the GMC’s Good Medical Practice Guidelines

The General Medical Council (GMC) outlines the core principles expected of doctors, including:

• Patient-centred care

• Teamwork and leadership

• Integrity and professionalism

• Commitment to lifelong learning

By linking your experiences to these values, you show medical schools that you understand what is required to be a doctor. The GMC also emphasises that reflection should not only focus on positive experiences but also on challenges and areas for improvement, demonstrating a commitment to growth and self-awareness.

5. Avoid Generic Statements

Generic reflections weaken your application. Instead of saying, “I learned that doctors must be caring,” demonstrate this with a specific example:

• “A consultant took time to reassure an anxious patient before a procedure. This experience underscored the importance of compassion and holistic care in alleviating patient anxiety, a skill I hope to develop.”

Applying Reflection to Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement should weave reflections seamlessly into your narrative. Instead of simply stating, “I enjoyed my work experience,” explain why:

• Before: “I completed a hospital placement and found it interesting.”

• After: “Spending time in an A&E department exposed me to the fast-paced nature of emergency medicine. I was struck by how doctors remained composed under pressure, a skill I admire and hope to cultivate in my career.”

Using Reflection in Interviews

Interviews, particularly Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), often include work experience questions. Strong responses use reflection to demonstrate insight: Question: “Tell us about a time you observed good teamwork in a clinical setting.” Response: “During my placement in a GP surgery, I observed a practice nurse liaise with a GP and a pharmacist to adjust a patient’s medication. Their collaboration ensured safe prescribing, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in delivering effective care.”

The GMC advises that students should reflect on how their experiences will shape their future behaviour as medical students and doctors. Being able to articulate how a situation influenced your values, learning approach, or resilience can make a significant impact during an interview.

Conclusion

Reflection is the key to making your work experience meaningful in your medical school application. By going beyond describing what you did and focusing on what you learned, how it influenced you, and how it aligns with the core values of medicine, you can create a compelling application that demonstrates your readiness for a medical career. With thoughtful reflection, your experiences will not just be a box-ticking exercise but a powerful testament to your passion and potential as a future doctor. For further guidance on structured reflection, the GMC’s resources on reflective practice provide useful frameworks and insights. (GMC Reflective Practice Guide)