Creator spotlight #1

Getting ready to go into the theatre!

Hi and welcome to all new members! My name is Chloe and I am one of the co-founder of MindMediconnect. I'm so glad that you've decided to explore this platform-and I promise you, it'll be worth it.

A little about myself: I am currently in Year 12, studing Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. Like many fellow year 12 students, I'm currently in the midst of preparing for mocks while trying to balance everything else. Fun times, right?

For our first blog post, I want to reflect on my recent work experience at St Helier Hospital-specifically in the Ophthalmology department.

The start of my placement👀

Observing a cataract surgery!

It all started with... emails. And more emails. Then one day, a consultant finally replied saying he was happy for me to shadow the Ophthalmology department for a week. That one reply opened the door to my first proper placement in a hospital- and it truly gave me a profound insight into how a hospital truly functioned.

The week began with in-patient clinics- mostly focused on glaucoma and retinal clinics. This gave me a clear picture of what normal days are like for many doctors. In the Ophthalmology department, each doctor is assigned to specific clinics that vary throughout the week, depending on their role.

What really stood out to me was the patience and empathy shown by every doctor I observed. Whether it was calmly explaning a diagnosis or supporting a patient, their communication made a huge differnece. One moment that stuck with me was seeing how some patients arrived visibly anxious and in need of emotional support. In those instances, the doctor didn't just focus on the meidcal side of things-they took the time to reassure, comfort and listen. That human connection made such a BIG difference.

This experience really opened my eye to the compassionate side of medicine. Despite seeing patient after patient, the doctors remained calm, positive and completely committed to providing the best care possible. And this wasn't just during face -to-face consultations-this same level of empathy extended to telephone appointments, too.

Observing a Cataract Surgery 👁️

The theatres truly opened my eyes to an entirely different side of medicine

Stepping into one for the first time was definitely a WOW experience. It was nothing like Grey's Anatomy- and to be honest, movies don't come close to capturing how a real operating theatre works.

Each theatre includes a multi-disciplinary team. Patients are brought into a prep room where they're carefully preped for surgery. If general anaesthesia is required, that process is done in the prep area before the patient is transferred to the theatere itself, which is usually directly connected.

One important thing- and something that really stood out to me- was how seriously confidentiality and patient identification were taken. Every patient's identity was checked multiple times throughout the process, and their consent was always confirmed before any procedures began. Whether it was for surgery, consultation, nothing moved forward without clear verification.

This level of diligence really highlighted what it means to work in an ethically responsibile environment. It showed me that providing excellent care isn't just about medial skill-it's also about respecting the rights, dignity, and privacy of every single patient.

Inside, the theatre team-made up of theatre technicians, scrub nurses, anaesthesiologists and surgeons work in perfect sync. In every procedure I observed, I was amazed by their collaboration and communication. Everyone knew their role and executed it with calm precision, ensuring that everything went to plan.

In one of my other placements, I witnessed a moment where an intubation didn’t go as expected, and an emergency re-intubation had to be performed. It was intense—but also incredibly eye-opening. That moment showed me the kind of composure, teamwork, and quick thinking that’s essential in medicine. Being a doctor isn’t just about knowing medicine—it’s also about knowing how to respond when things go wrong.

The Surgeon’s Mindset: Focus, Skill, and Perseverance 🧠

During the surgery, the level of concentration in the room is remarkable. The lead surgeon is fully focused, while fellows and registrars observe and learn from the side. Watching them in action gave me such a respect for the years of training and experience behind every careful movement.

It was truly inspiring to see how dedicated these doctors were. Some showed up while sick, after long shifts, or running behind-but no matter what, they stayed until every patient was seen. That kind of perseverance and resilience is something I'll never forget.

Final Reflections 🌟

In just one week, I got to experience the real, behind-the-scenes reality of medicine. And truthfully? It's not all glamorous. It's not always exciting. But it is deeply rewarding, and incredibly human.

Yes, doctors save lives-but to do so, they need patience, leadership, and the ability to accept criticism and adapt. They need to work well under pressure, communicate with empathy, and most importantly, be part of a team that always put the patient's care and autonomy first.

This experience confirmed that this is the path I truly want to follow, and it also showed me what kind of doctor I hope to become one day, and...I'm more motivated than ever to pursue it.