RGUC Newsletter
February 2023
Welcome to the February 2023 edition of the RGUC Newsletter
This newsletter updates members of the Dudley Group Undergraduate Teaching Academy and medical students about projects and resources being developed to supplement learning and medical education. We aim to publish an edition every quarter.
Contents
In this edition…
- Key diary dates
- Health and Wellbeing
- Staff Spotlight
- Tips for the OSCEs
- Update from Clinical Skills
- Tips from our Students
- Social Media
- Work Experience
- Goodbye and good Luck
Key diary dates
University of Birmingham (UoB) 2022-2023
Fifth year students’ Assistantship start date – 15th May 2023
Fifth year students’ SCE start date – 3rd July 2023
Fourth year students’ start date – 29th August 2023
Third year students’ start date – 31st August 2023
Fifth year AIP, OBG & Paediatric students’ start date – 4th September 2023
- Fourth year cancer care students’ start date – Monday 13th February 2023
OSCE’s
- UoB Fourth year OSCE’s – 18th and 19th April 2023
- UoB Fifth year OSCE’s – 3rd and 4th May 2023
- UoB Third year OSCE’s – 16th and 17th May 2023
- Aston Fourth year OSCE’s – Thursday 7th July 2023
Clinical Teaching Academy (CTAC) Meetings
- Tuesday 7th March 2023
- Tuesday 6th June 2023
The CTAC meetings have now returned to face-to-face format, and these will take place in the Undergraduate Centre. However, a Microsoft Teams link will be provided for attendees unable to join in person.
Health and Wellbeing
We take the wellbeing of all medical students seriously at this Trust. We encourage you to speak up about any concerns you may have, be it big or small. Please select the poster to find out who to speak to about concerns.
You can also speak in confidence to clinical teaching fellow, Josh Tulley, who is the wellbeing champion for junior doctors and medical students.
Staff Spotlight
Welcome to our new staff members
We are delighted to welcome several new staff members who will be supporting the delivery of medical education across the undergraduate clinical teaching academy.
Courtnie Brown – Fifth Year Coordinator
Courtnie joins the team as the new fifth year coordinator, replacing Deb Whittall. Courtnie has joined us from the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, where she worked as the epidermolysis bullosa (EB) coordinator, scheduling clinics and supporting the nursing team with administration. She has picked up the fifth year role super quickly and efficiently, and we are sure she will go from strength to strength.
Ruth Sewell – Fourth Year Coordinator
Ruth joins the team to support the fourth year curriculum alongside Mia. Ruth comes from a teaching background, so she has an abundance of education and administration skills to bring to her new role. She is very much looking forward to getting stuck in and learning all there is to know about the fourth year curriculum and undergraduate medical education.
We are excited to have both Courtnie and Ruth on the team, and look forward to working with them.
Tips for the OSCEs from our CTFs
Jenny Novy
Physician Associate Teaching Fellow
Watch what Jenny has to say about her top tips for medical students.
Josh Tulley
Clinical Teaching Fellow
“Be intentional with your transition from patient interaction to case presentation. Whether it be a history taking or clinical examination station, you will be required to present your findings to the examiner. After thanking the patient, before turning away, take a breath and mentally ensure you have definitely finished everything requiring interaction with the patient. Once you’re sure you have completed this, turn to face the examiner with your hands behind your back and begin your presentation. This allows you an opportunity to add to your interaction with the patient without making it too obvious that you had forgotten anything. Placing your hands behind your back will stop you from gesticulating in the patient’s direction during your presentation. This open body language also portrays self-confidence to the examiner, adding to their overall impression of your competency. “
Tomorrow’s Clinicians is a digital learning resource designed to enhance your understanding of clinical skills procedures.
Inspirational quote – “Practice not until you get it right, but until you don’t get it wrong” – unknown
Dayna Arthur
Clinical Teaching Fellow
“Practise keeping clinical examinations to time, to ensure you can complete the full examination during the station and really show off your skills! Plan the non-exam logistics in advance: schedule your transport to the venue in good time, pack your bag and prepare your breakfast / snacks the night before. All aiming to minimise distractions on the day of your OSCE.”
Adam Gittins
Clinical Teaching Fellow
Watch what Adam has to say about his top tips for medical students.
Manpreet Badh
Clinical Teaching Fellow
“Wash your hands as soon as you get into the station. Smile and engage with the examiner. Don’t stare at the ground or look around the room. Make good eye contact, nod and be confident.
Always have your own structure for your answers. For example, acute vs chronic management, talking about the important positive findings and then important negative findings. Before you give an answer, ask yourself, “can I justify this answer?” If you can’t – don’t say it!
Avoid vague answers like “bloods”, “observations”. For examinations, remember it’s a patient! So talk to them, engage with them, be polite and respectful. Examiners will pick up on this.
Be honest. Never ever lie or make up signs. If you aren’t sure about something, just say. It’s far more dangerous to have dishonest medical professionals out there than people who need a bit more practice.
A nice story. In one of my third year OSCE stations, the examiner offered to get me a glass of water and gave me a chocolate once I’d completed the station and had a couple of minutes left. Turns out no other student got water or a chocolate from him. I did much better on other stations, so I definitely was lacking some knowledge. But my feedback from him was that I was friendly, admitted to where I wasn’t sure of the answer, and spoke to him “not like a robot but like a real person.”
Update from Clinical Skills
Welcome to the new third year University of Birmingham medical students who joined us in January for semester two. The students have completed a wide range of simulated clinical skills, including cannulation and administration of intravenous medication, and will now be supported by clinical skills educators while practicing these skills in various clinical areas across the Trust.
A new rotation of fifth year medical students have now joined us, and we are looking forward to welcoming fourth year medical students in February.
We have also welcomed University of Birmingham student physician associates – hospital experience and specialist rotations. The students have received simulated training in a variety of skills, such as cannulation, venepuncture, nasogastric tube insertion and administration of intravenous medication.
In February, we will undertake the inaugural arterial blood gas sampling session, which will be aimed at respiratory specialist nurses.
We have increased the number of courses for ITF, Trust Grade and PAs to monthly sessions and extended the advanced skills training that is offered to include external pacing as well as chest drain insertion, lumbar puncture, abdominal paracentesis and central line insertion.
We have also hosted a surgical skills competition called “Can You Cut It?”, which was a huge success in showcasing the skills of participating surgeons. The finalists will be moving on to a national competition.
Finally, a massive congratulations to our clinical skills educator, Rachel Jordison for completing her postgraduate certificate studies in Education. Good luck to her as she progresses onto her Masters degree.
Tips from our Students
We interviewed Alys, Jess and Josh before Christmas about their experiences on placement with us during semester one. They talked about how to get the most from clinical placements, surviving OSCEs and navigating the hospital. You can watch a selection of their videos below.
For the rest of their videos, as well as other useful content, make sure you follow RGUC on TikTok
What one piece of advice would you give to students on the first few weeks on placement?
What was one thing you learnt from doing your first OSCE exam?
Social Media
Most of the videos within this newsletter are available on the RGUC TikTok, along with many more useful insights not featured here. We are regularly posting new clips that will offer useful advice on OSCEs, as well as tips and resources to help you prepare for them.
Please give us a follow. We hope the content will be useful to you.
RGUC Social Media Channels
iClinical® Social Media Channels
Work Experience
Recruitment for our annual medical work experience programme opened on 3rd January. Applicants must be a student in school year 12 or above, and at least 17 years of age at the time the work experience takes place. They should either be attending school, college or higher education establishments within the Dudley area or reside in the Dudley borough.
We will be running the programme for two weeks only. These are:
Week One: 26th June to 30th June 2023
Week Two: 10th July to 14th July 2023
Further information and application details can be found on the RGUC website by following the ‘Active Learning’ link from the main menu. Applications must be submitted electronically. Applications and general queries can be sent to: dgft.medicalwork.experience@nhs.net.
The closing date for applications is 31st March 2023.
Goodbye & Good Luck
NEIL PARMAR
Neil joined the digital media team in September 2019 from a media teaching background and provided essential support in the development of digital learning resources throughout the onset of the pandemic and beyond.
Whilst with us, Neil was able to expand his skills across wide range of specialist equipment, software and video production styles. He has now moved on to a new role at University Hospitals Birmingham as a digital innovation support officer, and we wish him all the best.
She has been a pleasure to work with and always brought a mothering nature to the office, always looking out for and looking after people. Deb has never been shied to get stuck in and help wherever she can. She is certainly going to be missed around the office, but we wish her all the best for her retirement. Enjoy the rest, you’ve earnt it!
BETH LOWE
Beth Lowe joined the clinical skills team in November 2021. As a Radiographer, Beth was responsible for the teaching and support of medical students in the radiology department. She also assisted the clinical skills educators in the delivery of other teaching events.
Beth left the team in January to commence a new job training allied health professionals, in Walsall. We are certain she will be a true asset in her new role and wish her all the best for her future.
KEELEY WILLIAMS
Keeley Williams joined the team in April 2021 as a clinical skills educator. She worked as an integral member of the team, supporting the development of the medical students and participating in successful projects to enhance safe practice. Keeley moves on to her new role as a senior university lecturer for the University of Wolverhampton. We are proud to have worked alongside her and wish her the very best for this new endeavour.
Would you like to contribute?
Do you have any news or updates that you would like to see in the next edition of this newsletter?
If so, please emails us at media.team@rguc.co.uk
RGUC Newsletter | Designed and produced by RGUC Digital Media Team for Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | ©copyright 2023 | www.rguc.co.uk | February Edition | February 2023