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# ScotGEM Stories

The remote and rural experiences of ScotGEM's medical students

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [My first conference... as an Agent of Change. ](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2025/06/23/my-first-conference-as-an-agent-of-change/) - As part of the Agents of Change curriculum for year one, all students complete an audit within their GCM practice during second semester. This group project introduced us to the audit cycle and contributed to our portfolio development—furthering skills that are essential to becoming competent, well-rounded doctors. I was in a group with two other
- [The First ScotGEM Society Conference!](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2025/05/18/the-first-scotgem-society-conference/) - On Saturday 26th April 2025, ScotGEM students and staff gathered at Ninewells Hospital in NHS Tayside for the first ScotGEM Society conference on the theme of "Agents of Change". Months of planning came together for a great day. As Treasurer of the Society, I had secured funding for the event from MDU, the National Centre
- [Yoga Relaxation with the ScotGEM Society](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2025/03/21/yoga-relaxation-with-the-scotgem-society/) - On the first Sunday of March the ScotGEM Society took over Nomad Yoga Studio in Dundee for a special yoga class. There was great turnout across all years and we all greatly enjoyed an hour of yoga flow filled with relaxing breathing and magical movement. This was the second yoga event the society had organised
- [A Glimpse Into My First Semester as a ScotGEM Student](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2025/02/07/a-glimpse-into-my-first-semester-as-a-scotgem-student/) - During my first semester as a ScotGEM student, I had the opportunity to apply clinical skills in primary care and explore the wider role of community-based healthcare. A highlight was visiting Maggie’s Centre in Dundee, where I gained insight into the importance of holistic support for patients. This post reflects on these experiences and how they have contributed to my understanding of patient-centred care.
- [Presenting my Quality Improvement Project at the RCGP Annual Conference](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/10/29/presenting-my-quality-improvement-project-at-the-rcgp-annual-conference/) - Hello! My name is Josie and I am a year 4 student currently based in Tayside. Last month I attended my first medical conference, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Annual Conference in Liverpool. I must admit, before attending I did not have a clue about what to expect! In March earlier this year,
- [My ScotGEM Experience on Skye](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/11/02/my-scotgem-experience-on-skye/) - As a 3rd year ScotGEM student, I had a placement at the Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye earlier this year. I was based on the Isle of Tiree for 3rd year and found the emergency medicine on the island really stimulating. Therefore, I asked if I could go on the two-week placement to
- [ScotGEM Stories Team 24-25](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/10/25/scotgem-stories-team-24-25/) - A new year means a new team here at ScotGEM Stories. Let's introduce ourselves! Year 4s I'm Olivia (Liv) Watt and I'm now in my fourth and final year of ScotGEM. I recently finished my Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) year in Tayside, remaining here for final year. I really enjoyed my time in General Practice
- [Exploring Dumfries and Galloway](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/11/11/exploring-dumfries-and-galloway/) - As part of block D, we are starting our second year of ScotGEM in Dumfries and Galloway! It’s been a bit of a rainy start, but on the 24th of August we visited Loch Arthur Camphill Community farm shop and café for a morning coffee and bacon roll, before making our way to Loch Arthur
- [ScotGEM Society Park Run Takeover](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/10/14/scotgem-society-park-run-takeover/) - ScotGEM Students takeover St Andrews Park Run!
- [Representing ScotGEM at a National Surgical Competition](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/05/20/representing-scotgem-at-a-national-surgical-competition/) - Lewis Astin represented the University of Dundee (and ScotGEM) at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh & Medtronic Surgical Skills Competition Grand Final.
- [Obstetrics in the Arctic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/05/08/obstetrics-in-the-arctic/) - Amber chose to go to Norway for her elective placement in her final year of ScotGEM, to the city of Tromsø, in the north of Norway. She got to experience medicine in the Arctic, from skiing to work, sweet treats to celebrate the return of the sun and refreshing dips in the arctic waters!
- [ScotGEM's first Wild Trials!](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/05/13/scotgems-first-wild-trials/) - ScotGEM's first wild trials experience, where they undertook various emergency and wilderness medicine scenarios as a team in a competition with 23 other medical schools across the UK.
- [My South African Elective](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/11/07/my-south-african-elective/) - I am a final year ScotGEM student and this year international electives are finally back up and running! For my first block I was lucky enough to be able to go back to South Africa...
- [Welcome to the ScotGEM stories editors of 2023/2024!](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/12/11/welcome-to-the-scotgem-stories-editors-of-2023-2024/) - Welcome to the new additions of the editorial team for ScotGEM stories!
- [Nith Inshore Rescue: A day of being rescued for ScotGEM](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/07/05/nith-inshore-rescue-a-day-of-being-rescued-for-scotgem/) - ScotGEM third year students in Dumfries and Galloway participate in a Nith Inshore Rescue training exercise, getting to be rescued themselves!
- [The Emergency Responders for the future](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/06/03/the-emergency-responders-for-the-future/) - Training the emergency responders of the future! A 6 week block in urgent and immediate care for the second year ScotGEM students.
- [A Highland Day to Remember: Glen Affric](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/04/14/a-day-to-remember-in-the-highlands-glen-affric/) - When thinking about what I wanted to write about for ScotGEM Stories, one day particularly came to mind...
- [ScotGEM: An Unexpected Journey](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/02/06/scotgem-an-unexpected-journey/) - A journey of two ScotGEM students and two GCMs cycling from Belfast to Limerick for the WONCA world rural health conference 2022.
- [Ushering in a new era for ScotGEM stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/08/29/ushering-in-a-new-era-for-scotgem-stories/) - Hello from your new team of editors at ScotGEM stories! To start off the 2022/2023 academic year we thought we would introduce ourselves so you all know a little bit about us and why we chose ScotGEM.
- [Graduation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/06/29/graduation/) - Graduation! It's hard to believe that it'll be happening just a couple of weeks from now. It feels like it was just the other day when fifty-five eager new ScotGEMs took a seat in one of the seminar rooms at the School of Medicine in St Andrews for our first induction session, getting over a different dose of disbelief that we'd been given a place in the inaugural cohort of the first ever graduate-entry, accelerated medical degree programme in Scotland.
- [Pass Me The Needle](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/04/01/pass-me-the-needle/) - Having travelled two and a half hours from my rural LIC (longitudinal integrated clerkship) GP practice, I arrived at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, bright-eyed and eager to learn.
- [A Fantastic Fortnight in Skye](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/09/30/a-fantastic-fortnight-in-skye/) - Majestic, magical, misty… these are all words that come to mind when describing the wonderful island of Skye.
- [An Emergency in the Hills](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/11/03/an-emergency-in-the-hills/) - I had never really given much thought to how my first experience of delivering CPR would go, but I certainly didn’t expect it to be out on the hills, without a phone signal or a single piece of kit.
- [A New Doctor in the Western Isles](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/03/01/a-new-doctor-in-the-western-isles/) - The Western Isles hold some of the most beautiful and untouched scenery Scotland has to offer. From the sprawling white beaches to the ragged hilly landscapes, it is rich with unparalleled beauty and photographic potential.
- [Is ScotGEM The Punk Rock of Medical Degrees?](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/07/09/is-scotgem-the-punk-rock-of-medical-degrees/) - The creators of ScotGEM Stories, Callum and Joe, are ex-students of my Kennoway group and have experienced first-hand my love of music. Each 'case of the week' quiz is preceded by a piece of music with a (sometimes tenuous) link to that topic. They were also aware – because I told them – that I had been a singer in a punk band. This is my standard 'one interesting fact about you' answer in our 'meet your Generalist Clinical Mentor' session (some might say the only interesting fact about me).
- [There's No Wrong Way](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/05/11/no-wrong-way/) - Thank you, ScotGEM Stories team, for inviting me to write something for your blog! It was great to meet some of you in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. I've decided to write some reflections about what led me to my current post at DGRI as a Clinical Teaching Fellow, and what I've learned over the past few months.
- [Ben Nevis](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/02/08/ben-nevis/) - My third year on placement in Fort William has so far been brilliant. The people who I have met and worked with have taken every opportunity to demonstrate their kindness and generosity. However, I think most of us would admit that at times this year has been tough. We have all had to make the most of what we have around us. This year of all years I have tried to embrace the opportunities afforded to me by the beautiful west coast, and I really could not have asked for more out of my time here.
- [A Rural Journey](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/07/23/a-rural-journey/) - Looking back, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where my excitement and drive for rural medicine evolved from.
- [One Newspaper Later...](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/05/17/one-newspaper-later/) - Time flies when you are whizzing about every corner of Scotland for four years, but not so much when you’re waiting for a bus in sub-zero temperatures in the middle of the Highlands. Need to learn to drive ASAP.
- [Island Life](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/06/07/island-life/) - Moving further away from home to the Western Isles in the middle of a global pandemic was perhaps a bit of a surprising decision to some people, but after feeling trapped in a city for months of lockdown I didn’t have to think too hard about it. I did worry about the potential isolation, but as it turned out, that wasn’t an issue at all.
- [West is Best](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/04/19/west-is-best/) - If you don't believe me, Princess Anne once said, "Sailing on a sunny day in Scotland is the nearest thing to heaven anyone will ever get on this earth…" She should know, with her near 30-year experience sailing her 44-foot yacht around Scotland every summer.
- [A Year in the Highlands](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/03/29/a-year-in-the-highlands/) - As part of the ScotGEM course, a year is spent undertaking a longitudinal integrated clerkship. I chose to come to the Highlands and wanted to be near Inverness, and I was assigned my practice in Tain. Before starting the course I had only been to Scotland twice, had never even heard of Tain, and didn’t know what to expect. Our course has an emphasis on general practice, and before starting my LIC I had enjoyed my GP placements but wasn't sure if I would be better suited to secondary care. My main concern was that general practice meant working alone and I would miss working in a team. I also worried that there would be a lot of referring in general practice which meant not seeing a patient's journey in secondary care. On a more general note, I was concerned that a career in medicine meant sacrificing hobbies and interests.
- [Argyll](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/03/08/argyll/) - I think I can safely say I've found my favourite bit of Scotland. Argyll is the sprawling, ancient and breathtakingly scenic south-west of the country, featuring two wild parts of the mainland, most of the islands of the Inner Hebrides, and, of course, my home for the past six months: the peninsula of Kintyre. I thought I'd share some of the photos I've taken over the past few months with you all.
- [My Helicopter Ride](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/01/04/my-helicopter-ride/) - Hi, I’m Liepa and I am only an honorary member of ScotGEM. As I am the only Dundee undergrad doing the longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) programme in Scotland this year, I have been unofficially initiated into the ScotGEM tribe. Week 1 of ScotGEM was a blur, meeting all those new and fabulous people... but one thing I do remember clearly is someone official saying: “You are not allowed to ride in emergency or medical helicopters.”
- [Dr Roger Strasser and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2021/01/11/dr-roger-strasser-and-the-northern-ontario-school-of-medicine/) - In our latest interview, Callum speaks to Dr Roger Strasser, Professor of Rural Health at the University of Waikato in New Zealand and Founding Dean Emeritus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) in Canada. Like ScotGEM, NOSM has a distinct remote & rural focus and the team behind ScotGEM visited NOSM as part of the establishment of our course.
- [Aberfeldy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/12/14/aberfeldy/) - This is the verbal picture of my living in rural Aberfeldy for the past four months. Before we delve in, if you prefer just looking at pretty pictures please go and view my friend Alistair McDonald’s previous Tiree post. If ScotGEM Stories were a book (million pound idea!) his would be on the front cover.
- [Simulation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/12/07/simulation/) - Last week, the students of ScotGEM's Year 3 currently based within NHS Highland got together (in an orderly, socially-distanced manner) for some in-person tutorials and clinical simulations at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness.
- [Tiree](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/11/17/tiree/) - Unless you are a surfer, birdwatcher or have been around me for the last year and not heard me shut up about it, you probably haven’t heard of the Isle of Tiree.
- [Wick-ed: A Day in the Life of Joe](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/11/02/wick-ed-a-day-in-the-life-of-joe/) - Hi, my name is Joe. I’m one of those pesky third year ScotGEM students currently out on placement in a remote corner of Scotland. It is a place that is teeming with fabulous wildlife - I have made many a friend among the local seals during my wild swims along the coast. They clearly thought I was one of them. The place I'm in is Wick. I thought it would be nice to pen a ScotGEM story about a day in Caithness General Hospital, which is to be found bang in the centre of the town. It's a real do-it-all hospital—from managing the most acute cases, to dealing with a cataclysmic road traffic accident, to helping a frail and elderly patient back into their home in the community, it does it all.
- [Rainbow over Caithness](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/10/11/rainbow-over-caithness/) - Snapped while out on a run... perhaps there's a medical degree at the end?
- [Trauma Call](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/10/16/trauma-call/) - When the consultant in charge of a hospital's Emergency Department puts out a trauma call, quite a few things happen almost immediately.
- [The Silver Dark Sea](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/09/29/the-silver-dark-sea/) - I was never fond of the sea. As a young girl, I learnt to accept it as a place of peril and sorrow. Who would have thought that it would become a defining part of my life, bringing me joy and happiness?
- [Working Through the Pandemic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/09/21/working-through-the-pandemic/) - Hello everyone! A quick introduction: my name is Ash and I am a third-year ScotGEM student. Like most of you, I decided to use the lockdown as an opportunity to wholeheartedly dedicate myself to exams and studies. My disposition involved my array of notes sprawled across my bed, my phone hosting multiple social media apps, music playing from a tab somewhere on the internet, Netflix in the background, Cheetos on my left hand and lastly writing this blog with my right hand.
- [C-Section](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/09/14/c-section/) - The labour ward is the only place in the hospital where, if all goes to plan, one patient walks in and two walk out (although one carries the other). It was here I was to spend a sunny August morning, watching an elective C-section on my second day of Year 2.
- [Remote & Rural Medical Education](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/09/01/remote-rural-medical-education/) - In this second part of the interview, Dr Robert Scully discusses the Generalist Clinical Mentor role in ScotGEM.
- [What Is It Like To Be A Rural Doctor?](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/08/25/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-rural-doctor/) - An interview with Dr Robert Scully as he discusses what attracted him to a career as a generalist and how he enjoyed his time on the Isle of Skye.
- [Up a Creek Without a Paddle](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/08/24/up-a-creek-without-a-paddle/) - I thrashed around in the water, trying to get my bearing as to where I was. My foot brushed an object underneath the dark blanket of the water.
- [Auchtermuchty - Wear The Fox Hat?](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/08/10/auchtermuchty-wear-the-fox-hat/) - Year 2 ScotGEM student Andrew MacFarlane describes his experiences of being based at a GP practice in Auchtermuchty, Fife for the second semester of Year 1.
- [Finding my Feet](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/07/22/finding-my-feet/) - As cliché as it may sound, time really does fly. I can still vividly remember how excited and, of course, nervous I was the night before starting my first day as an FY1. Now in less than a month, I will be moving on to FY2. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride for the past year, but I am glad that I did it with this bunch of people in Dumfries.
- [Motion is the Lotion](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/04/22/motion-is-the-lotion/) - A bit of motivation for these unprecedented times...
- [Intubation Guy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/12/03/intubation-guy/) - One quarter of the way to becoming a doctor, and 6 weeks into the 2nd year of ScotGEM (Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine), I have finished up in Dumfries & Galloway (D&G) and started in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. As with 1st year, I have been based in a local GP practice each week but with the added experience of hospital exposure with a variety of different placements.
- [Dr Graham Tydeman](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/12/01/dr-graham-tydeman/) - Before the launch of ScotGEM Stories, we interviewed Dr Graham Tydeman, a consultant obstetrician who, while working in NHS Fife, contributed to our teaching on ScotGEM.
- [Welcome to ScotGEM Stories!](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/12/01/welcome-to-scotgem-stories/) - Welcome to ScotGEM Stories, a new multimedia blog designed to allow medical students of the new Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine programme to share our experiences of studying medicine in the unique, remote & rural context of our course.
- [Summer in the Highlands](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/12/02/summer-in-the-highlands/) - Hello, my name is Jessica - I am one of the 2nd year ScotGEM students who has recently been on rotation away up in Inverness.
- [2020 Vision](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/01/03/2020-vision/) - A very happy new year from everyone at ScotGEM Stories - we look forward to sharing with you our journey over this coming year and beyond!
- [Exploration of the Inner Hebrides](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/02/06/exploration-of-the-inner-hebrides/)
- [Dr Rob Jarvis](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/02/13/dr-rob-jarvis/) - We interviewed Dr Rob Jarvis, the co-lead for Student Support for the ScotGEM programme. We asked him about his background, his role with ScotGEM, and advice for new and existing medical students!
- [Life Support](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/02/21/paediatric-basic-life-support/) - Joanne and Molly giving a lunchtime training session on paediatric basic life support.
- [A Quick Break from Work](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/03/my-break-from-agents-of-change/) - A little break from my Agents of Change healthcare quality improvement project (which current second years are working on just now) consisted of climbing Grey Mare's Trail in D&G... and this is the view halfway up.
- [Professor Ian Parkin](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/16/professor-ian-parkin/) - Year 2 ScotGEM student Molly Jakes sits down with Professor Ian Parkin, an anatomy demonstrator who came out of retirement to deliver anatomy in Year 1.
- [Learning in our Medical Families](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/04/generalist-clinical-mentor-gcm-group-1-elie-fife/) - One of the innovative aspects of ScotGEM - and I think many of the cohort would argue, the best - is the creation of the ‘Generalist Clinical Mentor’ or ‘GCM’ as it is often referred to. The GCM is an experienced GP who works part-time local to the university when they are not working with ScotGEM.
- [Quitting Smoking at Medical School](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/03/quitting-smoking-at-medical-school/) - Smoking was once a very large part of my life. It was there when I wanted a break, which was as often as humanly possible. My relationship with smoking was a strange one - I knew that it was bad for me in every way possible, but I was always able to put a time limit on it which somehow made it okay to keep going.
- [Remote Learning](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/23/remote-learning-week-1/) - Last Sunday evening’s emails came as a shock to many of us. Although aware of the seriousness of COVID-19, the clarification that face-to-face university classes were cancelled for the rest of the academic year was hard-hitting.
- [Bothies, Beers and Bouldering - Exploring the Highlands](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/03/31/bothys-beers-and-bouldering-exploring-the-area-around-inverness/) - One of the best things about moving to the Highlands is being able to explore some of the most beautiful and most remote parts of Scotland. For many, the way of life up here is centred around outdoor activities. It's a source of regional pride, and given the range of places to explore within just an hour or two of Inverness it's hardly surprising. During my time in Inverness I was lucky enough to meet a fantastic community of people who shared this sense of adventure and were able to teach me more about how to safely enjoy and explore our beautiful country.
- [Locked Down Together](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/04/28/locked-down-together/) - As a ScotGEM student, I knew a relationship wasn’t going to be easy. Not because I’m working all the time – don’t worry I’m definitely not(!) – but because we move around. I’m in my second year and I’ve travelled from as far flung places as Dumfries near the border to Inverness in the Highlands.
- [Professor Chris Isles](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/05/05/professor-chris-isles/) - ScotGEM Stories recently interviewed Professor Chris Isles, the Director of Undergraduate Education for NHS Dumfries & Galloway. Prof. Isles contributes to ScotGEM's teaching in Dumfries and is also the Hospital Sub-Dean for University of Glasgow students at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.
- [Dr Tom Watchman, Creator of 'Zero To Finals'](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/05/13/dr-tom-watchman-creator-of-zero-to-finals/) - We recently had the pleasure of talking to Dr Tom Watchman, creator of the popular Zero To Finals series of books, podcasts and online resources for medical students.
- [Virtual Sanity](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/05/25/virtual-sanity/) - From Rudyard Kipling’s poem If, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..." This is a mindset I was raised with, and a global pandemic was about to test it.
- [Two-Metre Rule](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/05/18/two-metre-rule/) - Two months after the UK finally began to lock down, Year 2 ScotGEM students like myself have come to the end of our abridged teaching for the academic year. For second years, the final six weeks of the session were originally planned to be a smorgasbord of exciting teaching and hands-on clinical experiences in emergency and pre-hospital medicine in our chosen health boards.
- [What I Think About When I Think About Lockdown](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/06/23/what-i-think-about-when-i-think-about-lockdown/) - I always tell people that I hate running. It’s not my sport, I’ve always been a swimmer, but I’m determined to be a better runner. Coincidentally, I’m not a big fan of lockdown either. It’s not easy, like most I’ve always loved (and taken for granted) the freedom to travel and visit family or friends, but when lockdown began, I decided I would strive to find a silver lining in it… somewhere.
- [Putting the Piper in Piperacillin](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2020/07/10/putting-the-piper-in-piperacillin/) - The roar of a thousand musicians making their final instrumental adjustments drifts by with the summer breeze. The air is thick, loaded with the tensions of the day. As we march in unison to the arena, not just a band of strangers tied by one common goal, but a harmonious family, we feel the heat of hundreds of spectators’ eyes on us.

## Pages

- [Home](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/) - The remote and rural experiences of Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine's students
- [Contact Us](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact-us/) - Get in touch with us at ScotGEM Stories directly through our Instagram account, or contact one of the members of the ScotGEM Stories team directly if you want to talk about our stories or our experiences! For more information about the course or to find out how to apply, check out the official programme page.
- [About Us](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/about-us/) - We are a group of medical students studying as part of Scotland's first graduate-entry programme for the training of doctors - ScotGEM (Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine). This unique and innovative programme is run by a partnership of the medical schools of the University of St Andrews and University of Dundee in collaboration with NHS Fife,
- [Privacy Policy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/privacy-policy/) - Who we are We are a group of medical students currently studying on the Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine programme, a joint initiative between the University of St Andrews and the University of Dundee, in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands, NHS Fife, NHS Tayside, NHS Dumfries & Galloway and NHS Highland. Please
- [Cookie Policy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/cookie-policy/) - This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are and how we use them. You should read this policy to understand what cookies are, how we use them, the types of cookies we use i.e, the information we collect using cookies and how that information is used and how to control the cookie preferences. For further information
- [Guest Interviews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/guest-interviews/) - Guest Interviews
- [Guest Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/guest-stories/) - Guest Stories
- [Staff Interviews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff-interviews/) - Staff Interviews
- [Staff Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff-stories/) - Staff Stories
- [Student Photos](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/student-photos/) - Student Photos
- [Student Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/student-stories/)

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/uncategorized/)
- [Student Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/student-stories/)
- [Student Interviews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/student-interviews/)
- [Staff Interviews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/staff-interviews/)
- [Student Photos](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/student-photos/)
- [Guest Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/guest-stories/)
- [Guest Interviews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/guest-interviews/)
- [Staff Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/staff-stories/)
- [ScotGEM Society](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/scotgem-society/)
- [Electives Stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/electives-stories/)

## Tags

- [experience](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/experience/)
- [emergency](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/emergency/)
- [paediatrics](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/paediatrics/)
- [obstetrics](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/obstetrics/)
- [consultant](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/consultant/)
- [interview](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/interview/)
- [doctor](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/doctor/)
- [career](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/career/)
- [tydeman](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/tydeman/)
- [dumfries and galloway](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dumfries-and-galloway/)
- [d&g](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dg/)
- [dumfries](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dumfries/)
- [galloway](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/galloway/)
- [birth and early years](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/birth-and-early-years/)
- [year 2](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/year-2/)
- [highlands](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/highlands/)
- [inverness](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/inverness/)
- [summer](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/summer/)
- [fife](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/fife/)
- [year 1](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/year-1/)
- [gcm](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/gcm/)
- [clic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/clic/)
- [gp](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/gp/)
- [tiree](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/tiree/)
- [ferry](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ferry/)
- [sunset](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/sunset/)
- [staff](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/staff/)
- [university](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/university/)
- [st andrews](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/st-andrews/)
- [dundee](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dundee/)
- [scotgem](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/scotgem/)
- [advice](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/advice/)
- [life support](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/life-support/)
- [resus](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/resus/)
- [rural](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/rural/)
- [generalist](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/generalist/)
- [primary care](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/primary-care/)
- [smoking](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/smoking/)
- [medical school](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/medical-school/)
- [quitting](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/quitting/)
- [anatomy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/anatomy/)
- [teaching](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/teaching/)
- [ian parkin](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ian-parkin/)
- [auchtermuchty](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/auchtermuchty/)
- [COVID-19](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/covid-19/)
- [Remote Learning](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/remote-learning/)
- [pandemic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/pandemic/)
- [goodbye](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/goodbye/)
- [munros](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/munros/)
- [outdoors](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/outdoors/)
- [climbing](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/climbing/)
- [exploring](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/exploring/)
- [aviemore](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/aviemore/)
- [motivation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/motivation/)
- [lockdown](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/lockdown/)
- [fitness](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/fitness/)
- [exercise](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/exercise/)
- [relationships](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/relationships/)
- [long-distance](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/long-distance/)
- [love](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/love/)
- [chris isles](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/chris-isles/)
- [dean](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dean/)
- [nephrologist](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/nephrologist/)
- [acute med](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/acute-med/)
- [dme](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dme/)
- [dgri](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/dgri/)
- [ctf](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ctf/)
- [public health](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/public-health/)
- [uncertainty](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/uncertainty/)
- [learning](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/learning/)
- [tom watchman](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/tom-watchman/)
- [zero to finals](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/zero-to-finals/)
- [revision](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/revision/)
- [blood](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/blood/)
- [donation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/donation/)
- [family](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/family/)
- [running](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/running/)
- [punk](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/punk/)
- [jobs](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/jobs/)
- [education](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/education/)
- [innovation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/innovation/)
- [1970s](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/1970s/)
- [piping](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/piping/)
- [extracurricular](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/extracurricular/)
- [passion](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/passion/)
- [music](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/music/)
- [competition](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/competition/)
- [confidence](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/confidence/)
- [resilience](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/resilience/)
- [fy1](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/fy1/)
- [fy2](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/fy2/)
- [foundation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/foundation/)
- [training](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/training/)
- [job](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/job/)
- [swimming](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/swimming/)
- [year 3](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/year-3/)
- [wild](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/wild/)
- [nature](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/nature/)
- [remote](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/remote/)
- [mentor](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/mentor/)
- [medicaleducation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/medicaleducation/)
- [students](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/students/)
- [medical student](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/medical-student/)
- [skye](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/skye/)
- [generalism](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/generalism/)
- [c-section](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/c-section/)
- [labour](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/labour/)
- [surgery](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/surgery/)
- [working](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/working/)
- [studying](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/studying/)
- [hca](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/hca/)
- [healthcare](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/healthcare/)
- [ppe](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ppe/)
- [key worker](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/key-worker/)
- [beach](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/beach/)
- [wellbeing](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/wellbeing/)
- [relaxation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/relaxation/)
- [coping](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/coping/)
- [sea](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/sea/)
- [rainbow](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/rainbow/)
- [caithness](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/caithness/)
- [a&e](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ae/)
- [trauma](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/trauma/)
- [urgent care](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/urgent-care/)
- [ed](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ed/)
- [lic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/lic/)
- [wick](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/wick/)
- [day in the life of](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/day-in-the-life-of/)
- [ward round](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ward-round/)
- [island](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/island/)
- [hebrides](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/hebrides/)
- [air](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/air/)
- [simulation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/simulation/)
- [aberfeldy](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/aberfeldy/)
- [perthshire](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/perthshire/)
- [friends](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/friends/)
- [pitlochry](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/pitlochry/)
- [helicopter](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/helicopter/)
- [hills](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/hills/)
- [mountains](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/mountains/)
- [walking](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/walking/)
- [hiking](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/hiking/)
- [northern](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/northern/)
- [ontario](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/ontario/)
- [canada](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/canada/)
- [nosm](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/nosm/)
- [winter](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/winter/)
- [argyll](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/argyll/)
- [kintyre](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/kintyre/)
- [tain](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/tain/)
- [sailing](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/sailing/)
- [west coast](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/west-coast/)
- [west](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/west/)
- [scotland](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/scotland/)
- [islands](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/islands/)
- [western isles](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/western-isles/)
- [cdf](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/cdf/)
- [cairngorms](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/cairngorms/)
- [adventure](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/adventure/)
- [fy3](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/fy3/)
- [death](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/death/)
- [stornoway](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/stornoway/)
- [placement](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/placement/)
- [graduation](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/graduation/)
- [welcome](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/welcome/)
- [new year](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/new-year/)
- [editors](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/editors/)
- [stories](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/stories/)
- [climateconscious](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/climateconscious/)
- [WONCA2022](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/wonca2022/)
- [elective](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/elective/)
- [year 4](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/year-4/)
- [gynaecology](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/gynaecology/)
- [wildtrials2024](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/wildtrials2024/)
- [suturing](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/suturing/)
- [edinburgh](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/edinburgh/)
- [parkrun](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/parkrun/)
- [team](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/team/)
- [licyear](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/licyear/)
- [broadford](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/broadford/)
- [broadfordhospital](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/broadfordhospital/)
- [hospitalmedicine](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/hospitalmedicine/)
- [emergencymedicine](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/emergencymedicine/)
- [rcgp](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/rcgp/)
- [conference](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/conference/)
- [poster](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/poster/)
- [healthcareinequalities](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/healthcareinequalities/)
- [veterans](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/veterans/)
- [holistic](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/holistic/)
- [community](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/community/)
- [yoga](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/yoga/)
- [nomad](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/nomad/)
- [psychiatry](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/psychiatry/)
- [posters](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/posters/)
- [agents of change](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/agents-of-change/)
- [DRAMS](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/drams/)
- [audit](https://scotgem.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/tag/audit/)