Medicine Trainees attending clinics – easier said than done!
Background: The Internal Medicine training (IMT) curriculum mandates attending outpatient clinics. This provides an opportunity to review a variety of complex cases from a different perspective, hone time keeping and clinical skills as well as develop a further understanding of management and treatm...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Future Healthcare Journal |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S251466452400167X |
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| Summary: | Background: The Internal Medicine training (IMT) curriculum mandates attending outpatient clinics. This provides an opportunity to review a variety of complex cases from a different perspective, hone time keeping and clinical skills as well as develop a further understanding of management and treatment strategies. This experience and exposure are vital for IMTs in learning new skills, broadening knowledge with a deeper understanding, as well as instilling confidence in this aspect of medicine.However, in reality the arrangements for IMTs to attain this essential component of their training is not always easily achievable, straightforward or standardised. This has been attributed to a myriad of reasons: not facilitated or unable to leave wards due to workload, inadequate staffing levels; non-availability of clinic rooms; only able to attend SDEC clinics. Aim: 1. Ascertain the different arrangement for IMTs to attend outpatient clinics across KSS2. To trial a possible solution for IMTs to attend clinics at Darent Valley Hospital (DVH) Methodology: 1. We surveyed trainees across KSS on how attending outpatient clinics was facilitated at each hospital and whether the provisions successfully delivered.2. We successfully bid for funds for piloting a Clinic Week Project and collated quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Clinic arrangements vary from rostered clinic weeks or days to ad hoc attending where and when a trainee can with varying degrees of success (Figure 1).The Clinic Week Project initial funding came from HEE KSS to employ a full-time doctor who would in rotation replace trainee on the ward the releasing them to attend clinics for the entire week (Figure 2). Commencing January 2023, seven trainees attended 72 clinics in total; 10.28 clinics/week, 100% described the outpatient week as ‘very’ or ‘extremely useful’.The Trust agreed to continue the project by accommodating the clinic week within the rota. It was however modified to include a half day SDT and half day of Neurology MDT and referrals or LP clinic (Figure 2).15 IMTs attended 112 clinics between August 2023 to December 2023; 7.47 clinics/week with unanimous positive feedback. Over the span of the year, all IMTs have had at least 03 clinic weeks.In a survey of consultants, all respondents stated that the implementation of the clinic week is ‘very useful’ and noticed more IMT presence in clinics. Conclusion: ARCP requirements are minimum 20 clinics in IMT year 1 and 2 each and projections are all DVH trainees will exceed 25 clinics each despite industrial action etc… We believe that this is one sustainable way of addressing outpatient clinic challenges faced by many trainees. |
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| ISSN: | 2514-6645 |