More than 180 Transition Year (TY) students from 90 secondary schools across Ireland took part in a week long TY MiniMed training programme at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) and Beaumont Hospital.

This interactive programme, which ran from 11-15 January, gave Transition Year students the opportunity to step out of their usual classroom setting and experience what it is like to train and work as a doctor in the setting of a real hospital.

As part of the programme, students attended interactive lectures, received hands-on training in clinical skills as well as getting practical experience in medicine and scientific tutorials. They received tutorials in a wide range of medical specialties, including human anatomy, forensic medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, psychiatry, and medicine, including emergency medicine, cardiology, respiratory disease and family practice. 

One of the highlights of the TY MiniMed programme was when the young people witnessed a baby being born by Caesarean section. The C-section was via a live video link from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. During this procedure the students were able to ask questions to the surgical team, led by Professor Fergal Malone (Chair of the RCSI Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Master of the Rotunda Hospital), who guided them through the Caesarean. 

Students also saw two live surgical procedures; a tonsillectomy and a laparoscopic surgery in Beaumont Hospital. Tiny cameras showed the inside of the patient as the RCSI healthcare professional performed the procedures. Again, students were able to interact with the surgical teams all while being talked through both operations. 

Speaking on the course, Professor Arnold Hill, Head of the RCSI School of Medicine said "In this programme, students experience what it is really like to train and work as a healthcare professional and it doesn't get much more hands-on than watching baby being born in front of your eyes. RCSI's TY MiniMed programme is now in its ninth year and it is a fantastic opportunity for students to spent time a real hospital environment. The students used and learned about the latest innovative technology in medicine from some of Ireland's top healthcare professionals. The experience will give them an excellent insight into prospective careers in medicine, science and research.

Leading medical professionals from RCSI and Beaumont Hospital delivered the programme, including Professor Hill, also a Consultant Breast, Endocrine and General surgeon at Beaumont Hospital; and Chair of RCSI's Department of Surgery; Professor Fergal Malone, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at RCSI and Master of the Rotunda Hospital and Professor Marie Cassidy, state pathologist for the Republic of Ireland.

Dr Steve Kerrigan, Academic co-ordinator of the programme and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at RCSI, said, "I'm delighted that all 181 students enjoyed the action-packed programme of events where they spent two days at RCSI in St. Stephens Green and the other three days in Beaumont Hospital. This programme is the end-product of a College-wide collaboration involving more than 100 staff who volunteer their time to ensure that these students get the best possible experience. This experience will go a long way in helping them decide if a career as a healthcare professional is for them."