350 students from across Ireland have got first-hand experience working in healthcare as part a series of interactive events at the 2024 RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Open Day.

Second-level students with an interest in studying medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy and advanced therapeutic technologies programmes at RCSI had the opportunity to tour the campus and hear from current students, graduates and RCSI faculty about student life and career options at the day-long event on Friday, 5 January 2024.  

Professor Hannah McGee, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, said: “We are delighted to welcome such an enthusiastic group of students to RCSI to experience the facilities at our university, which we are proud to say is world number one for our contribution to good health and well-being. Our annual undergraduate Open Day is a great opportunity to inspire prospective students to pursue a healthcare degree at RCSI and find out how we can support them on their career path.” 

Medicine workshops took place across the three levels of the RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, giving students a sneak preview of where RCSI undergraduate students prepare for clinical practice and develop key patient communication skills in a state-of-the-art teaching environment. Students had the opportunity to practice a clinical skill, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on dummy patients, and experience simulation teaching including a delivery by a birthing mannequin. 

Hands-on experience

The physiotherapy workshops focused on the role of the profession in prescribing physical activity and exercise for people with different types of conditions. The sessions highlighted the vital role that physical activity and exercise plays for those who have suffered a stroke, as well as people with chronic lung conditions and chronic ankle ligament sprain. 

Students also got the chance to learn how pharmacists play important, diverse and ever-expanding roles in our healthcare system including developing new medicines, formulating medicines into dosage forms like tablets and inhalers, and helping people to use these medicines safely and effectively. At a workshop in RCSI’s new dispensing laboratory the students enjoyed a hands-on experience of how pharmacists help patients with asthma take their medicines correctly and manage their health. 

At the Advanced Therapeutic Technologies (ATT) workshop students found out how the programme could prepare them for a career as a science innovator to research and develop the next generation of medicines, treatments and health technologies. The activities included a hands-on experience exploring the effectiveness of a novel therapeutic against cancer cells. 

You can find further information on the medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy and ATT programmes at RCSI here.