Careers in Medicine: Insights from Dr Adam Harvey-Sullivan
Highgrove Online School recently had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring live webinar on Careers in Medicine, led by Dr Adam Harvey-Sullivan—a clinician, academic, and passionate advocate for accessible healthcare. With a background in medicine from Imperial College London and hands-on experience in places as diverse as Uganda, the Orkney Islands, and East London, Dr Harvey-Sullivan provided a realistic look into what a career in medicine is all about.
Currently serving as the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow in Primary Care at NHS England, Dr Harvey-Sullivan works on national health policy and researches ways to reduce delays in cancer diagnoses for migrant communities in the UK. His career so far demonstrates just how broad and meaningful a life in medicine can be.
Here are some of the key lessons and insights from the session:
Finding Your Purpose: Ikigai and Medicine
One of the first ideas shared during the webinar was the Japanese concept of ikigai—a “reason for being.” It’s where four key elements meet:
- What you love
- What you’re good at
- What the world needs
- What you can be paid for
According to Dr Harvey-Sullivan, if medicine aligns with all four of these for you, then it might just be your perfect fit. It’s a great framework to reflect on as you consider your future.
Different Kinds of Doctors
Not everyone in medicine follows the same path, and that’s one of the profession’s greatest strengths. Whether you’re interested in hands-on procedures, long-term patient care, mental health, or working with specific age groups, there’s a role to suit your interests and personality. Just a few examples include:
- General Practice
- Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Psychiatry
- Paediatrics
- Geriatrics
Each specialty brings its own challenges and rewards, with many more specialties existing beyond this list.
The Medical Training Journey
What does the road to becoming a doctor actually look like?
- Medical School (4–6 years): Your university training in medicine.
- Foundation Training (2 years): Early postgraduate work where you rotate through different specialities to build experience.
- Specialty Training (3–8+ years): In-depth training in the area you want to focus on, such as surgery or general practice.
Becoming a Consultant could take around 10 years from the start of university, depending on your path. But along the way, you’ll have countless opportunities for growth, exploration, and impact.
A Career That Can Take You Anywhere
Medicine doesn’t just happen in hospitals and GP surgeries. Dr Harvey-Sullivan shared stories from his work in Uganda, Tanzania, Gibraltar, and the Orkney Islands—highlighting how medicine can open doors to travel, humanitarian work, and international collaboration.
Challenges to Consider
Medicine can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding. Dr Harvey-Sullivan was honest about the realities:
- Long shifts, including nights and weekends
- Emotional resilience in the face of illness, trauma, and death
- Balancing personal life with professional responsibilities
This isn’t to discourage you, but it’s important to go in with your eyes open. Reflect honestly on why you want to study medicine, and whether it aligns with your values and strengths.
Preparing for Medical School
Mr David Hodgkinson, Highgrove Online School’s Director of Coaching and Safeguarding, shared some practical steps to help you prepare:
- Choose the right A levels: Chemistry and Biology are usually essential, but you’ll want to focus on subjects that you can excel in.
- Aim for top grades: Medicine is extremely competitive.
- Consider doing an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification): It shows initiative and can help develop your communication and research skills alongside your A levels.
- Prepare for the UCAT: This is the entrance test most UK medical schools require.
- Understand each university’s process: Research thoroughly and prep well for interviews.
He also emphasised the importance of understanding why you want to do medicine. University admissions want to see genuine motivation in addition to stellar academics.
Final Thoughts
Dr Harvey-Sullivan’s journey shows that medicine is more than a career— it’s a lifelong calling. If you’re driven by purpose, enjoy science, and care about people, it might be the right path for you.
We’d like to thank Dr Harvey-Sullivan for his thoughtful, honest, and motivating talk.
Stay tuned for more career-focused webinars from Highgrove Online School and be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter to be among the first to hear about exciting upcoming events.
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