The HSJ is the leading journal on healthcare policy news and resources in the UK. The internship is a fantastic way for medical students to really understand the changes that are taking place in the NHS, now and in the next few years, which will affect their working lives as doctors. Unfortunately, the medical school curriculum places little emphasis on the leadership, managerial and resource allocation skills that doctors will need to have in the future, to deliver both a clinically effective and cost effective standard of care.
From getting published 3 times in the Journal, to going to the House of Lords for a Health Select Committee Review and interviewing individual who are making high-level decisions about the future of the NHS, my time at HSJ was extremely enjoyable to put it mildly. It was an opportunity to learn different skill sets and knowledge and enjoy life away from medicine for a while.
For most part, what you get out of this internship is what you put in. There are opportunities to spend time on research, writing and the business sides of publishing.
I started my internship just as the Healthcare Reforms were going through the House of Lords, and this made the experience even more relevant, as the insight and commentary of team members made for interesting discussion about the future of the NHS.
One aspect I really enjoy was the responsibility given from day one, by the Editor, Alastair McLellan. I will never forget the moment he came to my desk and asked me to write a story about clinical negligence on my 2nd day at the office. After some investigatory work, I had my news angle and with the guidance of the other journalist, I management to get an interview with the CEO of the NHSLA and wrote my first journalistic piece, which I will look back on with pride.
The team were extremely friendly and had vast expertise on health care service and policy. They are always willing to answer any questions and explain the background in any discussions the team were having. The debates around policy issues were great to partake in and even picking up knowledge nuggets through listening in was fantastic. In a very short space of time I was fully aware of numerous topics in healthcare, which are never taught in medical school, such as commissioning, organisational structure, salaries and pension and the role of private initiatives.
I would thoroughly recommend this internship for any medical student who really wants to understand healthcare policy and the connection between policy markers and clinicians. For those individuals who have a flair for writing, this is the perfect place to hone your skills and understand what medical journalism is all about.
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