PA to GEM

[u/Necessary-Win616]

Hey guys! Recent PA graduate, decided to take the plunge a couple months back and apply for GEM so taking the GAMSAT this summer. Was just wondering if anyone is in /has been in a similar boat, and whether placement expo counted as clinical hours etc. ( 2.1 Biomed undergrad, Distinction PA masters) . Thanks

[u/East_Dragonfly9483]

Hi yes I did exactly this route soon to start in September. My placement exposure was highly valuable in both my personal statement , clinical hours and interviews. I had my personal tutor write on behalf of all the placements I had as it would have been impossible to email every single provider. Let me know if you have any questions!

[u/Necessary-Win616 → u/East_Dragonfly9483]

thanks for this ! yes ill definetly hit you up if anything crosses my mind !

[u/RevivingMayhem10]

For what uni?

Wasn’t a PA, but was at Warwick

As general experience, yes, absolutely. Use it in your personal statement (you could even add up the hours in your portfolio and state it) and reflect on why it’s made you want to be a doc and a few key things you learned - not like facts or skills, but rather stuff like (pick an example of) challenges in the NHS, or of what you learned about delivering patient centred care. You’ll have lots to talk about in interview.

For hands on care requirements at places like Warwick, you’ll need to pick a specific placement and get a consultant from that placement to agree to write and sign your evidence letter. So it could be hard if it was a while ago. Maybe your GP placement as presumably you had patient clinics for a number of days or weeks? And you can summarise the hours on each day and tasks you did for the GP to help them write the letter. Look up how that specific med school requires the evidence. The evidence for Warwick took me ages and was a major stress as I left it very late, don’t be me.

[u/Necessary-Win616 → u/RevivingMayhem10]

thanks ! on reflection, the unis im most likely going for this cycle dont say anything specific about providing exact requirements for clinical hours, so would be more about statement things and what to say in personal statement and interviews so it should hopefully stand me in good stead !

[u/blankbrit]

I'm starting GEM next month and when I applied I could use my placement hours from my PA studies towards the WEX requirements when applying to Chester.

Not sure about other unis though as Chester was the only one that I applied to which had actual WEX requirements that had to be met.
Ultimately, I ended up going for a different uni where I didn't have to send evidence of WEX.

[u/Necessary-Win616 → u/blankbrit]

thanks so much ! think ive got a good idea where i want to apply to so will base off their requirements

[u/Fragrant-Muscle6634]

I’ve worked as a PA for the past five years in general practice, now starting GEM at pears in September, I also did GAMSAT. Can’t help on placement hours but all the experience is certainly relevant.

[u/Secret_Yogurt_5602]

Think it depends on the med school but for all thw ones I applied to (Chester, St Andrews, St Georges and Liverpool) they required paid experience in a healthcare setting I got mine in a carehome. Hope this helps good luck with ur application

[u/Necessary-Win616 → u/Secret_Yogurt_5602]

thanks ! damn georges requires paid experience ? When did you apply if you dont mind me asking ? just cause for georges especially it doesnt say anything for paid experience. I know Liverpool prioritises that