Motivation: How do I get this across in the interview

Ask yourself: Why Medicine?

Although it may seem an obvious thing to say, it is really important to have thought about this question prior to the interview, as careful reflection can prepare you well for a number of questions that are likely to arise.

Remember that medicine is an enormously broadly-based subject: in practice, it is a not just a science, but also an art. It encompasses a rich variety of disciplines and approaches, incorporating scientific analysis, research and clinical care, all underpinned by the human touch. It allows the practitioner to interact in a positive way with a huge number of people with varied backgrounds, interests and goals. The career opportunities are immensely diverse with over 50 widely differing specialities to pursue. Some involve much patient interaction, but others, involve less: think of the contrast between surgery and microbiology, or pathology and psychiatry. There are opportunities to work in primary, secondary and tertiary care, with different levels of in-depth involvement within speciality.

So, in preparation for interviews, ask yourself, Why Medicine?

What are your personal reasons/goals?
A consideration of this question usually cuts to the heart of why you really want to study medicine and become a doctor. In order to answer this or related interview questions, you should be prepared to discuss relevant experiences you’ve had to date. These may be where you have cared for a member of your family. You may be able to draw upon your work experience, particularly if some aspect of it has involved caring for people. Of course, you may have other reasons that explain your motivation to pursue medicine as career option. It may be a life experience you have had, or it may simply be a strong interest in life sciences. Whatever your reasons, the important thing is to have thought through your motivations and be prepared to discuss them openly and honestly. Do not prepare you answers to the point that they sound scripted, but do personalise them in order to show the real you.

Here are examples of areas that could be discussed:

Your scientific interests
What inspired you to be interested in the scientific aspects of medicine? Was it you’re A-level studies? Was it wider reading around you’re A-level subjects? Perhaps an extended project? Are you fascinated about how the human body functions and you want to know more about it? What relevant scientific experience have you had to date?

Desire to help others
Is this because of a personal experience you have had? Maybe someone in your family who has been ill and their treatment has inspired you to want to do the same for others. Maybe you have undertaken voluntary work where you have been inspired to help others. Maybe it some work experience you have had, where you were inspired by an excellent clinician you saw.

Interest in patients as people
To be a good doctor means that you should be able to communicate and interact effectively with patients and colleagues on a day-to-day basis. The early stages of any medical career will have very regular patient contact, and it is the ability to apply the learned science alongside excellent clinical care, all delivered with an empathetic approach that marks out the best doctors. Clearly, you will not have the skillset when you enter medical school, but your interviewers will be looking for your desire to achieve this. An understanding of the need to have a genuine interest in your patients should be clear to your interviewers from your answers to their questions.

Use your work experience to give examples
Make sure you arrange relevant work experience before your interviews. Not only does this show your motivation for the subject, but it should also give you real scenarios from which to draw on during your interviews. It enables you to demonstrate concrete experience around which you can formulate answers that will significantly enhance your interviewer engagement.

Uniqueness
There will be other reasons why medicine is really important to you that are simply personal to your experience and your life to date. Articulating these clearly and sincerely adds a further and important level of engagement with your interviewers.