What do you find interesting about Medicine?

Similar to Why Medicine? and What excites you about Medicine?, the number one tip is just be honest! You've applied for this degree for a reason - surely you find something about it interesting. Have a think about what particular niche of medicine interests you most, and whether you have come across this topic through reading or during work experience - tell the interviewer.

You want to demonstrate the breadth of your engagement with medicine so far, to show a comprehensive interest and dedication to the field. You could discuss a particular scientific aspect to highlight your enthusiasm for the scientific foundations of medicine. Additionally, addressing the practical side of medicine, including soft skills, pattern recognition, and logic, shows your appreciation for the diverse skill set required of medics. If you appreciate that medicine is a multi-disciplinary and varied area of study and practice, you will demonstrate that you have an understanding of its complexity and breadth and that this interests you.

Here's an example

• Particular interest: the structure of epithelial cells in the myocardium and their role in heart function
• Clinical experience: observing patients with heart conditions or reading ECGs

It is important to connect your interest to relevant clinical experiences or research. This underscores your ability to link theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. The interviewer wants to see you combine scientific and practical topics, as they intertwine in a medical career. When discussing research or self-directed learning, it is a good idea to mention anything specific you wish to pursue in medical school, such as an intercalated degree, which further highlights your proactive approach to education.

Suggested Structure for This Question

• Begin with a genuine statement of interest
  • Open with a personal statement about what drew you to medicine, making sure it reflects authentic enthusiasm and curiosity.
  • "What fascinates me most about medicine is the way it combines complex scientific principles with the ability to make a direct, positive impact on people's lives. I find it inspiring how science and compassion work hand-in-hand in medicine."
• Discuss a specific scientific or medical topic that interests you
  • Identify a particular aspect of medicine or science that captivates you, whether it's a particular system of the body, a process, or a clinical issue, showing a keen interest in the field's depth.
  • "One area that I find particularly intriguing is cardiology-specifically, the way that myocardial cells function and the critical role they play in maintaining heart rhythm and overall cardiovascular health. Understanding the physiology at the cellular level and its implications for something as vital as heart function really captivates me."
• Connect your interest to real-world clinical experience or observations
  • Relate this scientific interest to a clinical experience, such as observing a relevant condition, a specific patient interaction, or shadowing healthcare professionals.
  • "During my work experience, I had the chance to observe doctors reading ECGs and diagnosing arrhythmias in patients. Seeing how this scientific knowledge is applied in real time to assess and treat patients made the subject even more fascinating to me."
• Highlight the practical, problem-solving side of Medicine
  • Show an appreciation for the practical demands of medicine, including diagnostic skills, teamwork, and the application of logic and pattern recognition in patient care.
  • "I also love how medicine requires not only scientific knowledge but also strong problem-solving skills and pattern recognition. The process of diagnosing, where you have to piece together symptoms, test results, and patient history, feels like both a science and an art, and I'm drawn to the challenge and satisfaction that must come with that."
• Acknowledge the multidisciplinary nature of medicine and future opportunities
  • Show that you appreciate medicine's broad and interdisciplinary nature, and mention any specific topics you're excited to explore further in medical school, demonstrating a proactive approach to your learning.
  • "I find it exciting that medicine covers so many disciplines and allows for continuous learning. I'm particularly looking forward to opportunities in medical school to explore topics like immunology and, perhaps, to pursue an intercalated degree. I think medicine's breadth is one of its greatest strengths, and it keeps the field vibrant and challenging."
• Conclude by reaffirming your dedication to medicine
  • Wrap up by tying these interests back to your overall commitment to medicine, emphasising that your interests drive your dedication to the field.
  • "Ultimately, it's this combination of scientific curiosity and practical, hands-on care that draws me to medicine. The ability to continually learn and apply that knowledge in a meaningful way is something I am genuinely excited to pursue throughout my career."