The Medic Insight Model
A week-long programme accounted for difficulties encountered in previous areas , whilst creating a structured link between individuals and groups responsible and involved with organising work experience for school students.
Activities
With a view to provide a true and informed overview of the range of options available in medical career, the programme included 'plenary' sessions at two points during the week-long programme.
- Students from a range of schools were brought together with introductory and team-building activities
- Clinical skills were outlined to students, with access to the labs and supervised practice sessions
- Short lectures provided introductions to the vast range of fields within medicine, dispelling any stereotypes of doctors, and including niche fields such as academic medicine
- Group sessions, hosted by medical students, opened discussions on medical school life, interviews and ethical debates.
School Students
They were additionally supported with comprehensive guidance on locations, and provided with introductory materials on each specialty so as to know what to look out for, and allow them to maximize their work experience.
Logistics
Applications from students were linked to availability from clinicians in a semi-automated software driven process to create a programme that allowed for flexibility in clinical schedules, but wide exposure and variability within a student's timetableThe process linked with already existing platforms, including Pathways to Professions, enabling comprehensive coverage of under-represented state schools, as well as the NHS Work Placements Unit, which ensured seamless contractual, health and safety cover for all students.
Clinicians
Doctors were offered the opportunity to schedule highly flexible and variable timings that suited their schedules.
-No minimum commitment was required, with doctors able to take on just one student for a couple of hours in the morning, or many more for a series of days during the week.
Clinicians were provided with simple to use availability forms, accessible online, via e-mail or in physical form
Scheduling was confirmed close-to-date to update and remind clinicians
Where schedules changes, clinicians were provided with a contact point to quickly and easily reschedule or cancel
Where relevant, groups (e.g. GPs, Junior Doctors) were provided with guidance handbooks on the week and student expectations
