Project Description
Industry: Healthcare
Activity Name: NHS Fife – Do You Want to be a Doctor Event
Activity Type: Work Inspiration and Preparation / Sector Awareness and Skills Development
Businesses involved: NHS Fife
Name of School: Woodmill High School
Six S4 pupils from Woodmill High School took part in an NHS hospital visit designed for young people aspiring to careers in medicine. The event gave pupils a practical introduction to the role of a doctor through hands-on workshops, talks from medical professionals and advice on preparing for future university applications.
Pupils were selected based on school data showing medicine as an aspirational career choice, ensuring the opportunity reached those most likely to benefit.
Collaborative Partners
This opportunity was offered through DYW Fife in partnership with the NHS. Together, they created an experience that gave pupils direct insight into medical careers and helped them understand the skills, experiences and preparation needed to apply for medicine in the future.
The event also encouraged pupils to think ahead to the next two years and consider how they can strengthen their applications through work experience, volunteering and wider skills development.
Programme Aims
The hospital visit aimed to:
- Give pupils a realistic insight into careers in medicine
- Provide practical experience of key medical skills and procedures
- Help pupils understand the qualities and preparation needed for medical school
- Motivate young people to take early steps towards their future applications
Activity Overview
In the morning, pupils worked in small groups and rotated through a series of practical stations covering different aspects of medical practice. These included:
- Suturing techniques
- Correct use of PPE
- Sensory deprivation exercises
- CPR
- Healthcare simulators
- Administering injections
In the afternoon, pupils heard from a current medical student from the local area, who shared her journey into medicine and her experience of medical school so far. They also attended a talk from an NHS doctor, who spoke about her career and the key skills she believes young people need to succeed in the profession.
Impact and Outcomes
Pupils found the day intense but highly valuable, leaving with a clearer understanding of what a career in medicine involves and how they can begin preparing now. Several have already acted on the advice they received by exploring work experience and volunteering opportunities.
Pupil feedback
Isabella, S4: “I enjoyed the workshops especially the suturing, injections and CPR.”
Anna, S4: “I enjoyed the workshop on sensory deprivation. We tried on weighted vests and glasses which mimicked health conditions and had to complete set tasks. This allowed me to find out how hard it is for a patient who has vision issues and made me think about how I would need to alter my communication with them.”
Jack, S4: “It was really interesting getting a hands-on experience and the staff running the event made it really fun.”