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From serendipity to technology: use of a web-based information and booking system to improve clinical attachments at a district general hospital.
- Source :
-
Medical Teacher . Jun2007, Vol. 29 Issue 5, p457-463. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Background: Clinical attachments form a vital part of the learning experience for medical students but may vary in educational value. This paper describes a project intended to improve the quality of attachments at a District General Hospital in Devon, UK after negative feedback was received from students. Aims: To improve educational quality by providing information and choice for students. Method: The intervention was to set up a wéb - based system that allowed students to view before arrival all educational opportunities available, not only in the hospital but in the surrounding district. Students were contacted by email 2 weeks before their attachment and were then able to construct their own timetable from the menu of opportunities available. Results: The system was popular with students, recruited new providers of learning opportunities and also integrated learning across primary and secondary care. Conclusions: The intervention encouraged a sense of ownership of the learning experience as well as maximising the use of available learning resources. Practice points Clinical attachments form a vital part of medical student training but vary in educational quality. Conflict may arise from a clash of "discourses" between modern medical curricula emphasising active, self-directed learing styles and a traditional, "apprenticeship" based clinical environment. Web-based technology can be used to provide information and choice to students prior to attachments, thus increasing student autonomy and acting as a "bridge" between discourses. This qualitative study in a single UK health community found that such a system was workable, popular with students and also had the effect of widening the teaching base. The system is versatile and could be adapted to many situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0142159X
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Medical Teacher
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26706545
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590701509704