The first MiniMed school for transition year students in Ireland commenced at RCSI.

Running from 28 January until 1 February, the week-long programme aims to give students the opportunity to experience what it’s like to train and work as a doctor. Approximately 150 students from all over Ireland are attending the MiniMed school.

As part of the programme, students will have the opportunity to see a live operation, to attend interactive lectures, to get hands on training in clinical skills as well as practical experience in medicine and scientific tutorials. The programme will be delivered by leading medical professionals from RCSI and Beaumont Hospital. Topics covered will include cardiology, gastroenterology, urology and transplant surgery, emergency surgery, pathology and psychiatry.

Among the highlights on the first day is a lecture entitled 'CSI Dublin’ delivered by the state pathologist and RCSI Professor of Forensic Medicine, Prof. Marie Cassidy. In the afternoon, students will attend a number of practical sessions on cardiovascular anatomy, genetics, asthma and surgical training in the laboratories and tutorial rooms at RCSI.

This pilot programme follows on from the RCSI MiniMed school for adults which is held every two years at the College and was developed to increase awareness of health related issues among the general public.

Also running in parallel with MiniMed school from 28 January to 1 February is the ‘Focus On Science' transition year programme, which has been running for the last five years at RCSI. This programme will play host to 25 students interested in all aspects of science and medical research. They will receive hands on experiments in diverse fields from investigating blood to drug design and evolution practicals to chemical magic.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “This exciting new programme will give students a clearer insight into the world of medicine, science and research through the combination of theoretical and practical sessions. It is hoped that participation in the programme will encourage students to follow a career in one of these areas. The quality of the programme is further enhanced with the participation of leading medical professionals from RCSI and the use of innovative technology."