What our 2nd year students say....

YEAR 2

REBECCA LONG, YEAR 2

Why did you choose Podiatric Medicine?
I always knew I wanted to have a career in healthcare and came to the conclusion that podiatric medicine would be the best choice for me. It's a relatively new and expanding field and due to this it's a career that you will continuously learn in. It also provides a broad range of employment prospects such as working in the public or private sectors, in research or in education. I was also really interested in the subjects that are studied throughout the four years as they are not all specific to the lower limb but rather study the body systems as a whole. 

What does a typical week in year two look like?
In year two the timetable is divided between clinical placements at Merlin Park Podiatry Clinic and lectures and tutorials in the university. This year was concentrated on building our clinical skills in neurovascular assessments of the diabetic foot and further expanding the knowledge we gained in first year. A typical week also involves reading around lecture topics and completing course work.

What do you like about the course?
I love the fact that class sizes are small meaning that you get really close with your classmates and also build relationships with the lecturers and clinical tutors. It provides a very supportive learning environment and you're assured there's help there if you need it. We also get hands on experience treating patients in Merlin Park Podiatry Clinic every week from first year of the course. It allows you to see the pathologies that you're studying which really aids the learning. It allows you to become more confident in your clinical and interpersonal skills also. 
What advice would you give to others thinking about studying Podiatric Medicine? 
If you want a highly rewarding career with continued support throughout and after you graduate then go for it!

‌MARCUS MCGUIRE DALY, YEAR 2

Why did you choose Podiatric Medicine? I always had an interest in human biology and wished to be involved in healthcare, I wanted a course which was challenging and just as rewarding which also brought many opportunistic pathways and this is why I chose to study Podiatric Medicine.

What does a typical week in year 2 look like?A typical week in year 2 involves a mix of theory and practical sessions, the modules focus on the development of clinical knowledge, the year involves modules such as pharmacology, functional anatomy and biomechanics, evidence-based practice and lower extremity wounds and this theory is implemented in practice when in the podiatry clinic.

 What do you like about the course? I really enjoy the Podiatric Medicine course as it is structured through a combination of theory and practical elements, the practical elements help to ground any misunderstanding of such theory and builds upon sound practice. 

What advice would you give to others thinking about studying Podiatric Medicine? If you feel you have an interest in healthcare and helping others I highly recommend that you take this course under serious consideration. Podiatric Medicine is a challenging course involving critical thinking and is very rewarding, I was unsure myself of what to expect when first entering the course but I was not disappointed.