Stories from the University of Leicester Medical School SSC workshop for junior doctors in training
The stories in this series were created by final year medical students at the University of Leicester Medical School participating in an August 2008 Patient Voices workshop as a student selected component (SSC) of their training. The workshop was a collaboration between the University of Leicester University School and Pilgrim Projects intended to investigate the use of the Patient Voices digital storytelling methodology as a reflective tool in medical education. In addition to facilitating the Patient Voices digital storytelling workshop at the core of the module, Pilgrim Projects developed a module guide and assessment criteria. The work was presented by Tony Sumner at the ‘Learning for a Complex World’ conference at the University of Surrey in March 2009. The abstract is available here and the presentation here. An article by Liz Anderson, Dan Kinnair, Pip Hardy and Tony Sumner summarising the project was published in Medical Teacher, June 2012 as They just don’t get it: using digital stories to promote meaningful undergraduate reflection.
Are you happy in your profession?
Abs had a successful career as an accountant in London before deciding to go back to medical school. Despite the ups and downs, his chosen path seems to be the right one.
Yeah, I’ll go
Matthew is a keen and enthusiastic medical student. He successfully performs a by-the-book’ catheterisation, but the discovery that there is more to his vocation than technical know-how leads him to reflect on the true nature of caring for patients.
A heart of stone?
As a medical student, Salam is shocked and angered when an emergency operation doesn’t go according to plan. But he comes to realise that things are not always what they may seem, and even consultants have feelings.
Care of the dying?
There are many preconceptions and stereotypes surrounding hospice care. When Steve chooses Hospice for his clinical placement, he is pleasantly surprised to find that care of the dying is not at all what he had anticipated.
Your type
When Steve chooses a placement at a hospice, in order to learn some of the ‘softer’ skills that he thinks will help him in the practice of emergency medicine, a casual remark causes him to reflect on what ‘type’ he needs to be to care for people facing death.
Be patient with us
As a medical student, Weehaan becomes acutely aware of the tensions between caring for the patient and caring for the family – and pleads for tolerance while he learns to find the right balance.
Can I have a hand please?
Patients in the last days and hours of life can sometimes be challenging and even unreasonable. As the only male professional on the ward, Weehaan is at first frustrated, but then patiently responds to the final requests of a dying man.