Can you help NNUH teach future doctors?
Dr Simon Lines with patient Paul Bronne and UEA Medical students
Patients who attend the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) are being asked to take part in sessions to teach medical students.
Around 800 students studying medicine at the University of East Anglia take part in clinical teaching at NNUH every year. They learn key clinical skills such as taking bloods, inserting cannulas and catheters, but they also attend structured patient teaching sessions.
Structured patient teaching sessions are run by NNUH consultants in the brand new Bob Champion Research and Education Building which is on the edge of the hospital site. These sessions enable groups of students to watch and practice their patient consultations. For example, students take the patient’s history and learn how to examine them under supervision of a senior doctor.
Patient participation is voluntary and a minimum of two patients are required for each session. Patients can attend as many or as few sessions as they would like. Sessions last from between 1.5 and 3 hours and patients receive reserved parking, expenses and light refreshments.
Patients are needed to help support structured patient teaching sessions across the following specialties during April, May and June:
- Rheumatology and Orthopaedics
- Haematology and Dermatology
- Cardiology, Vascular and Stroke/Medicine for the Elderly [OPM)
- Respiratory Medicine
- Endocrinology and Diabetes, Renal and Urology
- ENT, Ophthalmology and Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Dr Lesley Bowker, Clinical Skills Director, said: “To be involved, patients need to have previous or ongoing care at NNUH but be currently reasonably well in themselves. Not all patients will be suitable for teaching – some patients might be too complex. We are looking for people who have long term, manageable conditions, particularly if they have stable clinical signs such as a heart murmur, joint problems, skin lumps or rashes . If patients are interested they can ask their doctor if they would be suitable to help teaching at their next appointment, or they can contact the Clinical Skills Resource Area directly.”
Dr Bowker added: “It’s so important that the students have this dedicated time to interact with patients in a special environment away from the intensity of the hospital wards and clinics. These students are our doctors of the future and learning from patients is of immeasurable value in helping to shape the knowledge, skills and attitudes for their future careers.”
Patient Paul Bronne from Norwich has volunteered to take part in teaching. He said: “I wanted to help out because I wanted to give something back to the hospital to say thank you for all the care I have received over the years. I enjoy taking part; it’s nice to meet the students and I have come away from several sessions learning new things about myself and my condition.”
Professor Richard Holland, Course Director at UEA, said: “If you would like to help our medical students in our structured patient teaching sessions or our clinical exams you will undoubtedly make a real difference, as we equip them to become some of the best prepared doctors in the UK. Patient contact from year one makes our course special – so we rely on people like you and are extremely grateful for any time you can give.”
Notes to editors:
Patients who are interested should contact Caroline Coombs in the Clinical Skills Resource Area:
Telephone 01603 286618
Email caroline.coombs@nnuh.nhs.uk
The Norwich Medical Scool
First Floor
Bob Champion Research and Education Building
James Watson Road
Norwich
NR4 7UQ