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Surviving Medical School with a Chronic Illness - from a Type 1 Diabetic

  • Medics & Me
  • Jul 2
  • 3 min read

Dani (@the_diabetic_medic_) inspires thousands of people on social media, sharing her insights as a medical student with type 1 diabetes. Here she shares her advice on managing a chronic illness in medical school...


Tell someone


Tell your Year Leads – they will signpost you to other staff members who will be able to support you.


Speak to Occupational Health – let them know of any adjustments during teaching/placements you need to support your condition e.g. flexible breaks, carrying medical equipment with you.


Speak to the Examination Staff – ask them for reasonable adjustments you may need in exams/OSCEs due to your condition e.g. extra time/rest breaks/food in the exam hall. This often needs to be declared early on so speak to your supervisor or tutor for advice on how to inform the university/ put adjustments in place.


Tell Lecturers/ Clinical Teaching Staff – they will be able to help you if you need, for example to leave a session early or administer medication.


Reach out for support


Medical school is tough enough without managing a chronic illness on top. Let people help you! 


Find your medical school/university pastoral team – talk to them any time you need to talk through your feelings or require any support, that’s what they are there for! Also there will likely have been other students in a similar position and they may be able to connect you, if you would find that helpful.


Contact your GP – you have A LOT on your plate with a chronic illness so you should be super proud of yourself for achieving everything you have so far, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so much going on, so please reach out to your GP if you ever feel you may need some extra medical support. The GP can also offer support with your mental health, as it can be challenging finding the balance.


Educate others about your condition


I found it really useful educating my close friends/classmates on what to do if I ever needed help with my type 1 diabetes. 

  • Snacks – people knew to help bring snacks if I was having a hypoglycaemic episode 

  • Absence – people knew to tell staff members if I would ever be a few minutes late due to correcting my blood sugar 

  • Phone – people knew I checked my blood sugar on my phone so I was able to do so in peace without being judged for “being on my phone” 

  • Support – everyone was so lovely to me checking in on how I was in terms of my condition, you’ll meet lots of kind and caring people!


Keep Yourself Safe


Your health is your number 1 priority. You must take care of yourself before anyone else. 

  • Excuse yourself when needed – if you need to take a short break during teaching to manage your condition e.g. taking medication/changing medical equipment/eating food, then you should absolutely do so! You will be able to catch up what you have missed when you return 

  • Attend your medical appointments – even if you are timetabled mandatory teaching, medical schools will absolutely approve leave for your medical appointments, make sure to let them know!


You can find lots more from Dani on her tiktok page (@the_diabetic_medic_), check out her videos for more information and helpful advice!



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