My personal experience caring for a close family member with a mental health issue and the complexities of managing it were what first drew me to medicine. It is a field that includes and takes care of not only the patient's physical health aspects but also the mental and social ones. The opportunity to shadow both doctors and various healthcare professionals within the hospital environment highlighted to me how valuable a multidisciplinary approach is to providing optimal patient care. Understanding the challenges that doctors face on a daily basis and the pressure that healthcare professionals often work under has only served to deepen my respect for those who work for the NHS and strengthen my desire to work alongside them. It is clear that good communication not only ensures a good relationship with patients, but is also essential to avoid medical errors. For example, I saw how in A+E an elderly lady suffering from urinary tract infections was calmed by the doctor's empathy and simple respect for her dignity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Observing the stages of care my grandmother received for her diabetes and seeing her autonomy respected made me understand how important it is to keep the patient at the center of every medical decision made. My Biology A Level laid the foundation for understanding how chronic conditions such as diabetes arise and are managed. Seeing first-hand some of the complications that diabetes can have (such as retinopathy and Charcot foot) and the impact these have on the patient's daily life, I am eager to develop a deeper understanding in related areas, especially as there There are always new developments in the field of medicine. As a healthcare professional, I understand the importance of empathy and clear communication and have seen how this can aid treatment adherence. I have also experienced the effects that caregiving can have on the caregiver. For this reason, I undertook work experience at a care service in Camden to find out how I could best support myself and also other carers at my school who were unaware of the support available. I have led projects for carers of young adults, enabling them to receive relief and help from healthcare professionals. Undertaking this has greatly improved my ability to communicate with a wide range of people, but has also made me aware of my limitations. I believe this is an important skill as a doctor: to always be aware of the limits of my expertise to ensure patient safety is never compromised. I currently volunteer in a residential care home. With the UK's growing elderly population and increasing numbers of people living in care, I wanted to understand the issues facing residents and those who care for them. I learned how dementia can impact residents' quality of life and the distress it causes for themselves and their loved ones. During my gap year, I will continue my volunteering in a nursing home in Sri Lanka to better develop a cross-cultural understanding of elderly care. Medicine is a demanding career both physically and emotionally. Completing my DofE Bronze demonstrates my ability to remain calm under intense pressure within a team so that I can achieve a positive outcome. Additionally, I have competed and won prizes in public speaking and debating competitions. I learned, 20(3), 68-81.