Presenting research at a Scottish national conference can be both affirming and inspiring.
Last Month, I attended the National Academic Departments of General Practice in Scotland (NADEGS) 2026 Conference at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, a Scottish national conference for academics in General Practice (GP) and Medical Education practitioners. Over two days, I had the opportunity to present two research posters, meet clinicians and educators from across Scotland, and reflect on where my own future in medicine may be heading. The experience left me feeling encouraged, motivated, and increasingly confident in my growing interest in both General Practice and medical education.
NADEGS brings together people who are involved in research, teaching, and leadership within primary care. For me, presenting two posters at this conference was a significant milestone. Standing beside my work and discussing it with experienced GPs, researchers, and educators was both nerve-wracking and rewarding. The conversations were thoughtful and constructive, with feedback that challenged my thinking while also validating the direction of the work. Several discussions led to ideas for further developing the research, as well as invitations to continue conversations beyond the conference. As a medical student, that level of engagement was incredibly reassuring.
Beyond the academic side, the conference itself was a genuinely enjoyable experience. Over the two days, I met people from a wide range of backgrounds, all united by a shared commitment to high-quality patient care and education. Hearing about different career paths within General Practice and medical education helped to demystify routes that can sometimes feel unclear from a student perspective. The setting of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh added to the sense of occasion, and the conference dinner provided a relaxed space to continue conversations.
Perhaps most importantly, this experience reinforced how strongly I am drawn to medical education. Over recent months, through teaching, outreach work, and research, I’ve found myself increasingly interested in how doctors are trained and supported. Attending NADEGS helped me see how General Practice and education can be combined into a fulfilling and impactful career. It left me feeling more confident that this is a direction I would like to explore further.
I am extremely grateful to the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen for supporting this opportunity by adjusting my timetable so I could attend without using any absences. That flexibility made a meaningful difference and allowed me to fully engage with the conference. Overall, NADEGS 2026 was a reminder of how valuable these opportunities are, not just for sharing research, but for shaping confidence, direction, and professional identity early in a medical career.
