Medical Education - Alice

from Wycombe High School Magazine 2023

From the Magazine Team 2023…

To what extent are medical students prepared for procedures during their university undergraduate course?

Why this topic?

My choice of topic was driven by my desire to incorporate both Product Design and Clinical Practice by providing a solution to a common experience shared by everyone, blood-taking. Though a simple procedure, a variety of factors can impact your experience. My EPQ focuses on two groups in the community that share a common problem when their blood is taken, the black community and the elderly Medical undergraduates are not usually exposed to these factors when they start learning about and practising venepuncture during their training. This leads to both undergraduates and patients being put at a disadvantage, especially in an emergency situation. My EPQ strives to improve the experience of the patient by providing a level of comfort, and the healthcare professional by helping them to develop the appropriate skills..

But wait,there’smore…

What did you discover?

My EPQ highlights the challenge in visualising the veins under dark complexions and in elderly skin The veins are not easily visualised under darker complexions compared to lighter complexions Similarly, the vessels in elderly patients are more difficult to anchor due to changed skin tension. Taking this into consideration, I designed a prototype that replicated the elbow pit of a Black, elderly woman with simulated veins under the skin to assist the undergraduate to identify the veins. In addition to that, the prototype will help the undergraduate apply appropriate pressure on the skin at the time of needle insertion. In summary, my EPQ was designed to address the challenges that healthcare professionals face when taking blood from dark skinned and elderly patients The outcome will help overcome these issues for the benefit of health professionals and patients

When I came across the 'SolveforTomorrow' competition through the HE Careers channel, I put myEPQ idea forward. I was so excited when I was informed in January that I was shortlisted to participate in Phase 2 of the competition. I attended multiple workshops hosted by specialists in Design and Marketing and was lucky enough to visit the Samsung House in Surreyfor an in-person workshop. On 12th May, I pitched mybusiness idea to a panel of judges and was invited to attend the Awards Ceremony on May25th at SamsungKX in Kings Cross London. I am veryhappy to announceI placed2nd RunnerUpinthe16-18categoryofthecompetition!