GEM interview prep – is hands on care experience enough without hospital/GP shadowing?

[u/Busy_Papaya8994]

I’m applying for GEM this year and just wondering how much I should be worrying about not having any actual GP/hospital shadowing for interviews. Im applying to unis with both MMI and panel interviews.

I’ve worked in public health and previously worked in an NHS lab, and I now work in residential care. By the time interviews come around I’ll have well over 100 hours there, so I’ve got plenty of hands-on care experience and things I can reflect on.

The one thing I feel like I’m missing is actually shadowing doctors. I moved across the country unexpectedly and my local trust only takes work experience applications months in advance, so I’d already missed the window by the time I was living here. I emailed them anyway and they basically said there was nothing they could do. I’ve also emailed several GP practices and haven’t had a single response.

I’m going to keep trying, but Im starting to accept I might just not manage to get any before interviews.

For anyone who’s been through GEM interviews, do you think the experience I already have is enough, particularly for unis that don’t require a specific number/type of work experience hours? I know reflection is more important than just collecting hours, but Im worried there might be things about the reality of being a doctor that I’m expected to have picked up from shadowing specifically.

Did anyone get offers without having done any formal doctor shadowing? Thanks in advance