Early patient contact is an extremely important feature of our teaching programme, particularly in the early years of the curriculum. Before our students go out into the clinical environment, with thanks to our bank of Patient Partners, we offer a safe and controlled environment in which our students can practise their newly acquired skills.
Clinical Examination
The use of Patient Partners for clinical examination allows students to practise their skills in a safe, non-threatening environment where they can gain confidence and competence whilst learning from feedback they receive prior to seeing real patients.
The Patient Partner to medical student ratio is 1 patient : 3 or 4 students for most sessions involving physical examination, a ratio which is particularly high and something we are very proud of and grateful for.
Simulation
Patient Partners also learn various health related scenarios to provide students with opportunities to practice and develop their communication skills in the setting of our Clinical Skills Centre. Students can expect to work with simulated patients from the outset.
Our simulated patient partners work alongside tutors in a supportive environment to provide individual feedback to each student from a patient’s perspective. Tutors focus their feedback on the application of each student’s medical knowledge and skills which includes the patient perspective. Our aim is to equip our graduates with the skills to become competent patient centred doctors.