51cg

ME4019 Specialty preference placements & directed e-learning - Block 1, Aberdeen (2026 - 2027)

Schedule Comments Summary (optional)

What helped you to feel welcome?

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Staff were nice
My communication with Andrea via emails was always helpful and timely which made me feel like I could ask any queries without annoying anyone. The intro to each placement block was also very good in showing us the layout of the ward/ GMED etc.
staffs were all nice
During my placement on ENT, the team made me feel very welcomed, included and respected, they made an effort to introduce me on my first day and help me understand what opportunities were available to me during my two weeks. During my plastic surgery placement, me and the other student on the placement with me both agreed we found it more difficult to feel welcomed as there was very little introduction on the first day and we spent lots of time of the placement unsure what opportunities were available, and who to ask for advice. We eventually managed to overcome this, but felt on the first day at least, could've done with a more formal introduction to the ward, especially considering this was our first ever placement. In diagnsotics, it seemed to vary from day to day, some placements were very well structured and organised, whilst others didn't seem to be expecting us and there was a few times I would show up and the person I was supposed to be looking for was not available to take students.

Comment on your interaction with patients on this block

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In GMED out of hours i was given opportunities from the start. It was the most intensive patient facing placement I will probably get in the whole year. It was brilliant. Cardiothoracic surgery was more ward rounds and self directed task finding, but there was still interaction daily. Diagnostics was less patient interaction but that is just what comes with that particular area of medicine.
patients were lovely and patient with me
In ENT, I had many opportunities to interact with patients and carry out my own consultations under supervision which was very beneficial to my learning. In plastics, I had limited patient interaction I was mostly in theatres and was heavily encouraged to spend most time in theatre rather than on the wards. In diagnostics I had close to no interactions with patients, but this was to be expected as due to the nature of the speciality.

As this block contains different specialties, please make it clear in your comments which specialty you are referring to. Please note any particularly good educational experiences and state why:

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ENT- was useful to sit in on different clinics and see different operations Ortho - good to see different ortho clinics as got to see patients and also learn about features of OA and causes of MSK pain
GMED Out of hours: every single doctor and ANP I was with gave me opportunities to push myself. Some to different degrees but this meant I got to do a variety of things from Obs to histories to examinations and even to ECG and injections. Going out in the car made for a unique and valuable experience where you got to meet the patient in an environment they are comfortable in. One evening I was allowed to phone the patient myself and take a history and for all the other patients that evening I directed the consultation which was an amazing learning experience. Cardiothoracic Surgery: The ANPs and PA were excellent on the ward for seeking out opportunities for us and letting us do lots of sign offs. The surgical days were excellent for watching, I even got to do a few catheters. The days were long in surgery but it was an experience that would be very hard to get again.
neuro- lots of opportunities to practice physical examinations on patients and opportunities to attend theatre derm- lots of clinics to see common derm conditions and management
During ENT, all the staff I interacted with were extremely helpful with teaching, including the FY doctors, registrars and the constultants. We spent time discussing patients and their presentations in clinics and in theatres, and also had time to run through the MLA content map with one of the FY2s which was very useful. The radiologists also, provided lots of valuable one-on-one teaching during reporting scans by taking the time to explain different anatomy subjects and how to properly interpret scans.
During my anaesthetics placement, all of the clinicians I worked with were very welcoming and enthusiastic about involving me in patient care and clinical experience . They consistently took the time to check in with me, answer any questions I had and explain procedures and the thinking behind d decision for the care of each patient. Their willingness to teach and encourage participation created a really positive learning environment.

Please suggest any improvements to this educational experience.

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I had two plain x-ray sessions in radiology when nobody was reporting plain x-rays at that time so I had to do other types of scans. It was nobody's fault but just maybe the timetable for us was not that synced up with the clinicians timetable.
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It felt vary varied across specialities, for example ENT was very prepared for us, whereas plastics did not seem as prepared for students and therefore I felt this placement wasn't as valuable as to me. I understand this block is much more self-directed for students, but I think if every specialty could have a more formal introduction on the first day it would bring students a lot more confidence for the rest of their placement. For example, first day on ENT we were introduced to the team and walked through a rough timetable of opportunities throughout the next two weeks and how to get involved in them if we chose, whereas in plastics it felt as though they didn't really explain to us how they expected students to get involved during their time on the ward and in my experience was very much a case of showing up on the day and seeing who was willing to let us join them for the morning/afternoon. In diagnostics my only suggestions would be to first of all ensure the placement is still ongoing, and that the placement is fit for how many students are there, as on multiple occasions it seemed the doctors had been told one or two students would be attending and would not be prepared for three or even four students attending as we had timetabled.
I felt the out of hours teaching could have been better organised. There were several occasions where I spent long periods sitting with the supervisor without much opportunity for learning or clinical involvement. On some shifts, I only saw one or two patients. I appreciate this may have been due to a low number of patients requiring assessment or other reasons. Greater opportunities for clinical exposure or alternative teaching during quieter periods would have made the experience more valuable.

Would you like to tell us more about the concern related to discrimination, bullying and harassment?

(500) No comments.

We wish to recognise those who have excelled in your learning experience, e.g. quality of teaching, student support. Staff may be based in the University or the NHS. If you wish to nominate any member(s) of staff, please do so and state: 1. Who they are 2. Where they work 3. Why you have nominated them.

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Dr. Tan (consultant dermatologist), Dr. Wray (consultant dermatologist) and Dr. Cedric (speciality trainee) who work in the dermatology clinic (Burnside House). These doctors were extremely kind and always made me feel included in the consultation. Furthermore, they were always willing to teach me and explain about management plans and pathology of skin conditions. Another person is Mr. Mohamed Ali (Physician Associate) in the Cardiothoracic department (ward 216). He was extremely helpful, kind and always made the students and I feel included in ward rounds. Additionally, he always made sure to teach us and provide us with opportunities to carry out procedures like ECGs and blood collection in the ward. I am extremely grateful to have been under these clinicians during this 6 week block, and I hope other students will be able to get a similar learning experience.