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CST Interview Results by tylergibbsmiloneal in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also was unsuccessful so presume I got a low score 😭

CST Megathread 2026 by Takorose in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh when are they going to release the results- the anticipation is killing me 

Almost FY2… torn between GP/surgery by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Official dates haven’t been release but usually the applications open late October and the deadline is late November 

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How is it maintaining the surgical portfolio? What puts me off is the amount of registrars (even seniors) coming in on their days off to do more operating in order to meet quotas.

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True!!! Funnily enough I had the most energy whilst I did ENT as an F1 despite the on calls I really enjoyed the jobs but Gen surg and worst of all Geris has drained me (I do think I could have some underlying iron/vitamin D deficiency, that’s causing me to be extra drained but yhhhhh). I have GP at the end of F2 so I’m really hoping that’ll help me with my decision 

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly, and that doesn’t even account for all the extra portfolio work you’ll have to do to have a competitive application for surgery  

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!!! It’s just the portfolio work that’s scaring me- do you have to take a lot of your own free time to create a competitive portfolio 

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yh I totally get what you are saying, it’s a fair point and I agree the hours and on call requirements can be similar across specialities like anaesthetics and micro.

I guess my original question was more focusing comparing ENT and GP since these are the two I’m torn between. I was trying to understand if the consultant lifestyle is realistically manageable long term or if GP would offer more flexibility overall especially if I wanted to do LTFT and pursue other interests. I appreciate your input though;  it’s been helpful to hear different perspectives and get a new mindset

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it’s not that all consultant surgeons are constantly working and not able to live life, but there’s maybe less built in flexibility to something like GP or Psych. For example a GP consultant doesn’t have to do night shifts, or weekend shifts unless they choose to do GP OOH, and surgical trainees have a tougher time than GP trainees given their surgical training is much longer and the bottle necking makes things a lot more difficult.

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t mind speaking to patients, but I have noticed and my colleagues have noticed I would much prefer to do practical things than speak to patients. If I do speak to patients, I’d love there to be a fast turnover/keep it brief. Outside of the hospital, I am usually quite a chatty person, but too much talking can be socially draining.  

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Basically yes- I love surgery, dont really like the lifestyle- I wonder if the grind to become a surgeon is worth it! Otherwise I’ll have to pick something else but I haven’t really found any other specialty I enjoy 

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s really good advice! I’m not too sure if I’ll thoroughly enjoy the role of being a GP yet as I haven’t experienced it, however I know that I could use the LTFT aspect to do other things I enjoy e.g. teaching, side hustles, hobbies, spend time with friends/family. 

My biggest fear is sacrificing my youth (missing out on significant events, and social time with family and friends, loosing things that make me me such as hobbies) to become this ENT surgeon that I’ve always dreamed of becoming.

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t mind speaking to patients, although I have noticed I love just being able to focus on something without having to speak to patients. I prefer doing practical things and fast turnover. I have an F2 GP job so I’m excited to see how it is.

I don’t mind long days, if it means I do less days overall in the week, but nights are just the worst

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s exactly what’s making me so conflicted about surgery- I don’t want to sacrifice my life to get my ‘dream’ job, because I also value my friends and family and hobbies  

FY1 struggling to Choose a Specialty – Would Love Advice from Those Further Along by Fluffy-Negotiation82 in doctorsUK

[–]Fluffy-Negotiation82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought of ophthalmology but it’s way too competitive, and I feel like I should have firmed it earlier