School hosts aspiring doctors
On 2 June, 2023, the School of Medicine hosted 60 S5 pupils from schools across the West of Scotland who are interested in studying medicine. The visit, organised in collaboration with FOCUS West, engaged the students in discussions and hands-on activities exploring the special senses and human anatomy.
FOCUS West is the regional branch of the Scottish Funding Council’s Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP). The initiative aims to widen access to higher education through guidance on the options for further study available to students. Pupils are advised on the benefits of further study, which courses might suit their strengths and interests, and the preparation and application process for higher-national and degree courses.
The special senses session, conducted by Senior Medical Teaching Technician Henry Rae, focused on vision and hearing. Students first learned about their vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which activates during head movement to stabilise vision. The VOR causes the eyes to move in the opposite direction of the head, helping the person maintain a steady gaze. A brave volunteer demonstrated this reflex to his classmates by spinning around in a chair before stopping suddenly. The spectators immediately noticed his eyes continuing to move despite his best efforts to stare straight ahead, a remnant of his VOR in action! Moving on to hearing, the students learned about the remarkable, intricate mechanisms of the auditory system by wearing a device that swaps the sound from one ear to the other.
In the anatomy session, run by Prosector Olly Kovaljova, students learned about the remarkable strength of human bones, tried their hands at assembling a skeleton, and witnessed a cow-heart dissection! The pupils revealed an impressive existing knowledge of the structure of the human heart and were intrigued to see its many similarities with that of a cow. Following the dissection, the students had the chance to handle and examine the heart themselves, matching the structures they observed with those on the human heart model displayed nearby.
The students’ enthusiastic engagement in both the discussion-based and hands-on aspects of the day delighted their instructors. School staff always enjoy hearing from aspiring doctors and offering encouragement and advice as students contemplate their next steps. The School wishes all our FOCUS West visitors the very best for the future and looks forward to hosting another cohort soon!