ABSTRACT
The most important place to secure work experience is in the hospital. Despite the importance of work experience, NHS bureaucracy can make arranging placements quite difficult. Take into account the different communication techniques that staff members use in order to make patients feel at ease, listen to their concerns and give them advice. Doctors need to demonstrate strong team working and leadership skills, and will see the importance of good interdisciplinary communication in being able to provide optimal holistic care. Voluntary work demonstrates commitment, a caring nature and good time management. As far as the admission procedure is concerned, the best placements are those that involve interaction with patients or service users. Overall, in addition to demonstrating positive personal qualities, a gap year can be used to gain high levels of responsibility and maturity.
