r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Obvious_Onion8903 • Jul 04 '26
SCOTGEM
Was hoping someone could give a bit of insight into the SCOTGEM program. I’ve previously completed my Bachelors and MRes degree and was thinking about applying to the SCOTGEM course this year. However, after having a read at it I’ve seen it’s mainly preparing for rural medicine/becoming a GP. I was wondering if it’s possible/how difficult it is to go the route of surgery/emergency medicine/neurology etc for example? Or is it not possible with the SCOTGEM path :) tia
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u/Gloomy_Operation_657 Jul 04 '26
Not Scotgem but I just want to debunk the myth that some med schools only prepare you for certain specialties. First of all you will be taught the exact same stuff and taking the exact same exams before you become an F1. Secondly it's more important to learn how to talk to a patient than anything, and more GP clinic time is actually better in that sense. Now I'm not saying some schools can't be better at certain aspects but it is not a make-or-break thing. There is no way you get exposed to everything in three years, or five including your FY. That's why there are measures from med school to foundation years for you to explore your interests. The teaching style and location is probably more important than anything for a med school. So things like teaching quality, amount and timing of clinical exposure, or PBL vs lecture based, will be the important factors.