Medlink 2013

Medlink was amazing! Honestly if all medicine-type conferences are like this, I can’t wait to be a doctor that continually improves himself by attending different conferences. So what is Medlink or what was it like you ask?

Well Medlink is quite rightly called ‘the home of future doctors’ and it serves as a community for prospective doctors, all gathered together. In order to relate information about pathways into Medicine, well established and world-renowned doctors in their own rights delivered key-note speeches and lectures on things ranging from how they’ve molded their careers, to the different kinds of doctors and medical units. Featured speakers included the revered Lord Robert Winston (I’m appalled at myself for not knowing of him before the conference), the funny man himself Dr James Ridgeway (honestly I’d pay to see him do stand-up) and a host of super doctors especially action-man Dr Stuart Maitland-Knibb. It just goes to show that not only are doctors  life-savers, they’re also damned interesting people.

The lectures themselves were very informative touching on subjects ranging from different medical specialities to alternate routes into medicine. Though the lectures came thick and fast, they were all definitely insightful for example Dr Stuart’s talk on ‘Pre-Hospital Care’ was particularly inspiring. He spoke about the work of the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme, the quick-paced work of as an Air ambulance medic. For the faint of heart (Dr Stuart’s work can definitely not be said to be a walk in the park) we had a charity lecture on ‘Liking & Attraction’ where James’ comedy produced hilarious quotes such as “no one moans in my lectures except with pleasure” (someone actually did moan with pleasure weirdly enough).

So what was Medlink like you ask. Well if you’re thinking of a collection of snobbish gazillion A* hoarding students well you’re very wrong. It was more of a laid back (“so laid back we were horizontal” – Dr Stuart) collection of prospective Med students just trying to understand a bit more about this life-long career we’re about to throw ourselves head first into. So yeah, it was epic!

Addabee x