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Making a difference: graduate studies in Psychology
He’s combined Psychology with Physiology, Philosophy and Medicine. Now, Abhishek Abhisheki is embarking on what he describes as ‘the best job in the world.’
Name: Abhishek Abhisheki
Degrees: BA – Physiology, Psychology, Philosophy (2000-2003)
BMBCh4 (Fast track medicine) 2004-2008
Place of Study: Oxford University
Year of intended graduation: 2008
Career Aspirations: To work in the medical field combining research, publishing and education.
Most days you’ll find Abhishek roaming the corridors of Oxford’s NHS hospital, talking with patients, working with medical staff or simply observing an operation. In the final year of his medical degree, Abhishek is a ‘responsibility-free’ doctor, enabling him to go anywhere he likes in the hospital wards to see what is going on. “The final three years are effectively an extended internship,” says Abhishek. “During this time I’ve had varying levels of responsibility, from being directly responsible for gathering information about a patient in order to direct their care, to being a complete observer.”
Abhishek’s background is in Psychology, along with Physiology and Philosophy – a program known as PPP. It’s a generalist cross discipline degree enabling students to study both human thought and behaviour. It has a good mix of arts and sciences and also allows the exploration of the interface between these areas of human activity.
Medicine focuses more on the biological perspective but again with an understanding of the social aspect of healthcare.
The PPP program has also given Abhishek a good foundation from which to study medicine and further his knowledge on the study of human beings.
“Medicine focuses more on the biological perspective but again with an understanding of the social aspect of healthcare. I was especially interested in the application of theoretical ethics to real-world situations, and the application of science to human experience. This isn’t the sort of thing you get taught in a medical degree it turns out, but you can still see it happening.”
In order to be accepted into the fast track medicine program, Abhishek needed a Life Sciences degree and chemistry at A level. He was also required to take an entrance exam that consisted of numeracy, critical evaluation of written material and reasoning skills. Then in the interview he needed communication skills, critical thinking, the ability to think on his feet and charisma. “Work experience was a necessity but I’d just got a job as a clinical support worker which helped my application a lot and also gave me material to talk about at the interview.”
“The final attraction of a medical career is that the UK has a social healthcare system that I believe to be morally necessary and must be defended from market forces – my participation helps with this.”
The main attraction of a medical career for Abhishek is the opportunity he will have on a day-to-day basis to improve the lives of others. It will also enable him to use scientific methods in an intellectually and technically challenging way – something he’s really looking forward to doing. “The final attraction of a medical career is that the UK has a social healthcare system that I believe to be morally necessary and must be defended from market forces – my participation helps with this.”
Abhishek’s combination of degrees has also equipped him for two very different careers – that of a pharmaceutical company representative and also a politician. “PPP is a fascinating degree and allows the student space and time to develop their understanding of people, society and science without demanding too much specialization.”
“Medicine is one of the last places where one can attempt to live an ethically sound life and not be a pauper. I’m studying and practising out of a sense of duty, but other motivations, such as status and financial reward are equally met. It’s the best job in the world.”
Skills learnt in BMBCh4 (Fast track medicine)
Theory:
- Human physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology
