AMA Queensland Foundation Medical Student Scholarship
The AMA Queensland Foundation is proud to support medical students experiencing financial hardship. Donations to the foundation help us support medical students experiencing financial hardship continue to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor.
Third year medical student and AMA Queensland Foundation Scholarship receiver Chloe Batchelor has been able to fully engage in her placements and studies due to the generosity of donors.
Please describe a highlight from your medical studies in semester 1 – i.e. a challenge you have overcome, a rewarding experience, or a new skill you have mastered.
I started Semester 1 on the wards in General Medicine, where I loved being a part of a collaborative team and interacting with patients on a daily basis. It was rewarding to get to know patients personally and track their progress. I embraced the opportunity to enhance my history taking and examination skills, and clinical skills like venepuncture, cannulas and catheters. My next rotation was Psychiatry. This was a challenging and rewarding rotation. I have been able to appreciate the incredible role, and limitations, of hospital-based psychiatric care. My General Surgery was interrupted by the COVID restrictions; however, I still had opportunities to attend and assist in the operating theatre. I found the surgical pathway particularly rewarding to experience; from seeing a patient initially, offering definitive treatment, to their post-operative discharge.
Please provide an example of how the AMAQ Foundation scholarship has assisted you.
The AMAQ Foundation scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies. Previously, I have spread myself too thin between attendance, study, working and juggling a chronic disease; all of which has had enormous impacts on my physical and mental health. Being a recipient of the scholarship has alleviated much of the financial burden, allowing me to restore balance, keep well and fully engage in my studies.
What expectations do you have for the rest of 2021? What goals have you set yourself? What elements of your course are you particularly looking forward to? Are there any milestones you are expected to achieve?
COVID restrictions permitting, I am looking forward to experiencing my Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatric rotations for the remainder of 2021. These are the two rotations that I have been most eagerly awaiting. I am starting to prepare for my end of year written and OSCE examinations. Whilst I know these will be tough, I feel I am in a great space physically and emotionally, thanks to the financial burdens that the AMAQ Foundation Scholarship has alleviated.
Additional comments?
I wouldn’t have been able to manage this year without the AMAQ Foundation Scholarship. The funding has gone towards my university fees, freeing up finances to assist with my maintaining my health and wellbeing as I am also juggling a chronic disease. With my health back on track, I’ve finally been able to fully engage in and thrive during my placements. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude; Thank you to all donors.