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At Lancing College, the Medical Society – MedSoc - stands as a vibrant hub for pupils aspiring to pursue careers in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, or Dentistry. Meeting every week, this dynamic group provides a platform for exploring the science and humanity behind medicine, inspiring future healthcare leaders while fostering a sense of curiosity and compassion. Through engaging talks, hands-on activities, and mentoring opportunities, MedSoc not only enriches academic understanding but also nurtures the personal qualities vital for success in the medical field. It's more than just a society—it's a launchpad for bright minds ready to make a difference.
Here’s a snippet of this term in MedSoc from our members:
Hands-on Practical
During a recent session at MedSoc, we had the privilege of learning about suturing from Dr Britnell. It was my first experience using a proper suturing kit, and Dr Britnell's professional guidance made us feel like real medical students. Each kit was shared between two students, focusing on the synthetic silicon skin, and the suturing needle felt remarkably close to an actual clinical experience. Despite completing only one line of suturing, the process took considerable time, highlighting just how skilled and efficient doctors must be to perform these tasks quickly in real-life situations. I am sincerely grateful to Dr Britnell for teaching us this essential skill and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the expertise of doctors.
Anna D, Lower Sixth
Networking
The MedSoc Dinner was a valuable and engaging event. As A Level students, we had the opportunity to speak with professionals across various medical fields, gaining insights into their university application journeys, medical school experiences, and careers. Hearing their stories highlighted how each day in medicine brings unique challenges and impacts patients’ lives in meaningful ways. The evening also included an interactive activity which I particularly enjoyed. Each table sculpted an organ from clay, adding a creative element to the experience. Afterwards, Mrs Suzie Venn, a Consultant Surgeon, spoke about her career spanning the last 30 years, including the time she has spent practicing medicine abroad in Africa. It was interesting to hear about the increased number of female surgeons in the last ten years, although she said that there was still work to do in attracting women surgeons. It was inspiring and encouraging.
Nicola K, Lower Sixth
MMIs
On the second Monday back after half term the Sixth Form members of the College’s MedSoc were lucky enough to take part in mock medical interviews organised by Mrs Britnell. This was an informative insight into the demanding selection process experienced during the application to medical school. The MMI’s (multiple mini interviews) took place over a two hour period subdivided into five minute interviews each with a different interviewer. These interviewers ranged from staff at the College to local healthcare professionals, which allowed for an accurate representation of the variety of approaches to questioning that there might be in a real MMI process. The interviews covered topics such as discussion of medical ethics and topical issues within the NHS to medical role-plays and fast-paced mathematical problems. We then in the following weeks received feedback from Mrs Britnell on our overall performances in the interviews along with our ranking for each station. This allowed us to see our strengths and weaknesses in the sessions and areas that might need improvement. I found this to be an excellent experience that helped me understand the process I will need to undertake next year in applying to medical school and things I might need to research before then.
Franci B, Lower Sixth