The clinical teacher
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The importance of the post-take ward round to both patient safety and medical education cannot be overemphasised. Despite this, significant variation exists between consultants and senior doctors in the conduct and content of ward rounds. This discrepancy prompted the idea of using a checklist to audit whether essential components were being consistently addressed during post-take ward rounds. This would allow an exploration of whether introducing a checklist would benefit both patient safety and medical education. ⋯ As such variability was demonstrated between consultants in their conduct of the ward rounds, it was concluded that the introduction of this checklist would provide a standardised approach that junior doctors could learn from. Therefore, the introduction of this checklist into clinical practice was identified as a worthwhile teaching resource for juniors in order to enhance patient safety and foundation doctor learning.
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Out-patient clinics offer trainees one of the most varied clinical experiences within the hospital setting, but they are often chaotic and over-stretched, with limited time for teaching. An awareness of how to improve this learning environment by both trainers and trainees may enhance learning opportunities. ⋯ To maximise the learning opportunities within out-patient clinics there needs to be a shift in culture to promote learning in a safe and non-threatening environment. The establishment of a community of practice may validate the role of trainees in the management of patients and facilitate social learning by all members of the clinical team.
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International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are more likely to be involved in complaints and have lower pass rates for professional examinations. Language barriers and differences in culture and consulting style are suggested to be the cause. A programme was developed in Dumfries and Galloway to address these issues, aiming to provide language and consultation skills training, and create a culture where these issues could be discussed openly. ⋯ The programme was valued by all those involved, and showed that short-term interventions can improve language and consultation skills, potentially helping to address the challenges faced by this particular group of doctors.