"If you’re sitting there completely fresh-faced and talking to a patient about a death in the family, then having some ballast is a good thing"
The end of Niels Baymler’s temporary position at the Psychiatric Department in Risskov in August will also mark the end of a tradition that has, according to the young medical student, been crucial for many young, coming doctors and their independence and maturity.
The last ‘extenders’ at AU
Omnibus has met three Master’s degree students who’ve just avoided being hit by the study progress reform by a split second.
Their internships and temporary positions were possible because they are the very last students to have the chance to extend their time to degree, in contrast to the students who will come after them.
They are happy about this. The practical experience and the accompanying responsibility makes them feel more adult, capable, and professional – qualities that will make it easier for them to brand themselves on the labour market.
"I feel indignant thinking that people will not be able to take a temporary position in future. I don’t believe you have the optimal education if this option disappears," he says.
The reason it is disappearing is that the study progress reform will prevent medical students from placing their education on standby for six months, while they instead get some extra practical experience by taking up a temporary position at a hospital.
This has lead to an unusually large number of applications from Master’s degree students for temporary positions this spring.
"I think everyone has realised that this is the last chance", says Niels.
Clinical training not enough
Internship courses are included in each semester of the Master's degree programme in medicine. These clinical training courses last between four and six weeks and are meant to give the students hands-on experience in a hospital.
But there is a world of difference between clinical training and independent temporary positions, says Niels.
"During the clinical training you’re only on the periphery. You get to follow a doctor around, but you don’t have any active function as such. In my temporary position here at the department I have an independent function and am much more involved in what is happening with the individual patient."
Rules of the game
Niels works in a department in the psychosis section and also has shifts in reception. Here he has to take care of patients suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawal symptoms etc.
He didn’t apply for the temporary position to beef up his CV. A future job is more dependent on your research in any case, he says.
For Niels, it’s simply a case of getting some clinical experience and getting to know the routines at a hospital.
"The only way you can learn the rules of the game and how communication with colleagues and patients functions is by being part of it yourself. For example, when I refer patients for further diagnosing or when I contact a doctor on call who is a cardiology expert about a patient with heart problems," he says.
Puts hairs on your chest
Niels explains that it is not least a case of becoming familiar with the responsibility and authority associated with the doctor role.
"Many newly qualified doctors find themselves judged on the basis of their age. "If you’re sitting there completely fresh-faced and talking to a patient about a death in the family, then having some ballast is a good thing."
Translated by Peter Lambourne