Medicine is the Rolls Royce of the CAO and announcing it as your first choice is sure to impress, but it is not a decision to be taken lightly. It takes a great deal of commitment and hard-work; Leaving Cert points needed are usually in the high 500s…this is rewarded with a further 10 years of intense study and work experience, with long hours and low pay.

Taking these points into consideration it is surprising that anyone embarks upon a medical career, however the advantages are plentiful. It promises to be challenging, interesting and you are directly helping people. The future income is guaranteed to be good and doctors still hold the kind of reverence in Ireland as priests, so it is clear why people want to become doctors, surgeons, specialists and consultants.

Medicine is now available as a postgraduate conversion course. This changes the education situation considerably, and means people who have already taken a different healthcare or science undergraduate course, or even Film Studies or Accountancy (as long as you achieved at least a 2.1 grade), can apply to study medicine at a later stage.

Education
The CAO points required are typically over 550. Most universities require students to take at least two honours science subjects at Leaving Cert level.

Degrees in Medicine last for five or six years. The emphasis is on pre-clinical skills for the first part of most courses. In the early years, students take basic medical science subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Psychology and Medical Informatics.

In later years, students attend modular courses in clinical subjects including Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Psychiatry. This involves periods of residency in general and specialist hospitals, attachment to a general practice, and systematic instruction in the various medical specialities. Students spend lots of time in hospitals, shadowing doctors, learning in small group sessions, or at patients’ bedsides.

Other options for students looking for a medical career include medical science courses, which teach similar subjects and prepare students for work as medical scientists in hospitals.

Options After Qualification
Gaining a degree in Medicine is only the first stage of the process. The Medical Council requires every medical student to complete a one-year internship, known as Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO) training. Junior doctors then enter a specialised training scheme – all branches of medicine (Surgery, General Practitioner, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Psychiatrics and Radiology) require further postgraduate training for between three and seven years.

Newly qualified doctors begin their careers as house officers and progress through to the grades of registrar and senior registrar. The ultimate goal for many doctors is to obtain consultant status.

Medicine graduates aren’t short of other options – there are opportunities to work as medical scientists in hospitals, or employment with pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies or medical device manufacturers.

The Work
The first task a doctor faces is to diagnose the problem of the patient, which isn’t always obvious. Doctors observe and talk to the patient, and perform tests to make their diagnosis.

The role of General Practitioner (GP) is in itself a specialisation. GPs assess and treat a wide range of conditions, ailments and injuries – anything from sinus infections to chronic pain, to broken wrists. When patients' specific health needs require further treatment, GPs refer them to a specialist physician.

Hospital doctors diagnose and treat illness, disease and infection in patients admitted to hospital or outpatient clinics. They examine patients who fall within their particular specialisation and carry out the necessary treatment. Hospital doctors may be involved in teaching and performing research. Doctors may also have other administrative and management tasks within the hospital. Surgeons perform complex operations, some of which may be life sa   ving, and which are carried out under local or full (‘general’) anaesthetic.

Senior doctors can become consultants, who may concentrate on a particular area and become experts in their fields. They can then work for a number of public or private hospitals.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
Doctors should be in possession of a good memory and be instinctive in problem approaching and solving. They also need to be good communicators and capable of making tough decisions. A bedside manner is of benefit and conversely a certain amount of emotional detachment is sometimes necessary.

Hospital doctors' working hours can be long and irregular, and can include working shifts, weekends and public holidays. GPs typically work from their clinics or surgeries and are usually available for around 50 hours a week.

The Money
Doctors are well paid and salaries are commensurate with experience. Interns start on approximately €30,000 a year, while senior consultants and experienced GPs earn six-figure incomes.

The Jargon
Pathology: The scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences
Gerontology: Branch of medicine that studies the illnesses and disease associated with old age
Hippocratic Oath: An ancient and often-updated oath taken by practitioners to uphold the ethics of medicine
Obstetrics: The branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth

Job Titles
Doctor
Surgeon
Consultant

Further Resources
The Medical Council
Lynn House
Portobello Court
Lower Rathmines Road
Dublin 6
Phone: 01 498 3100
Web: www.medicalcouncil.ie
Email: info@mcirl.ie

Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland
International House
20-22 Lower Hatch Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 676 7650
Web: www.rami.ie
Email: secretary@rami.ie

Health Service Executive (HSE)
Oak House
Limetree Avenue
Millennium Park
Naas
Co. Kildare
Phone: 045 880400
Web: www.hse.ie and www.careersinhealthcare.ie
Email: info@hse.ie

The Royal College of Surgeons
123 St Stephens Green
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 4022 100
Web: www.rcsi.ie
Email: info@rcsi.ie

Health Protection Surveillance Centre
25-27 Middle Gardiner Street
Dublin 1
Phone: 01 876 5300
Web: www.ndsc.ie/hspc/
Email: info@hspc.ie

UL Graduate Medical School
CM083B
University of Limerick
Phone:  061 233740
Web: www.ul.ie/medicalschool/
Email: medicalschool@ul.ie