Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim and Dr. Mohammed Rayan, MBBS graduates of College of Medicine, GMU, shared their success stories titled “My Experience with PLAB” with students of the MBBS and Higher Diploma in Preclinical Sciences programs. The session aimed to provide information on the application process for the PLAB licensing exam and the residency path in UK. About 85 students aspiring to attempt the exam participated in the session.
Dr. Ibrahim spoke on the process of application and the structure of the exam, while Dr. Rayan emphasized the method of preparation and scope of the exam, and the study resources required. Both speakers addressed queries raised by students with regards to the time taken to prepare for exams and comparing the benefit of various resources and optimizing the effort in its preparation. They highlighted the need for honing their communication and practical skills during the skills sessions and exercise critical thinking through discussions of clinical case scenarios.
“Attend workshops and courses that add value to your clinical experience, especially those related to the residency of interest”, advised Dr. Ibrahim. “Focus on building knowledge in the foundation years will eventually pay off and make you a better physician. Build your CV well and keep it updated”, recommended Dr. Rayan.
“We regularly engage our own alumni to provide career advising to our students, by sharing their success stories, as students are able to relate more closely to the alumni” said Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor Academics and Dean, College of Medicine. “This is a good way to give back to my alma mater”, echoed Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Ryan proudly.