Autumn 2010 Newsletter
Courses, meetings and exam dates 2010/11
If you would like to come to any of the courses below, please email Kate Woodhouse at k.woodhouse@imperial.ac.uk to book your place
If you are teaching students this year you are eligible to be an examiner. We will be in touch nearer the time, but you may like to note the exam dates in your diary now.
Open Meetings (updates and refreshers open to all GP teachers)
Writing examination questions
Wed 17 November 2010
R2/R3, Reynolds building, CX 1400 – 1600
Discover how we write exam questions for years 3, 5 and 6. A fun session, with the opportunity to have a go at writing some questions in groups. Meeting leaders: Dr Paul Booton, Dr Grant Blair, Dr Frances Carter.
Supervising F2s as teachers
Wed 19 January 2011
Seminar room, Reynolds building, CX 1400 – 1530
Do you supervise F2s who teach in your practice? A chance to discuss with colleagues how you should supervise F2 teachers, what you can do to improve their teaching skills, and what your role is if their teaching isn’t up to scratch. Meeting leader: Dr Beverly Peter (GP and Academic Facilitator)
Teaching ECGs
Wed 16 February 2011
Seminar room, Reynolds building, CX 1400 – 1530
A popular session on how to teach ECGs (with a refresher on ECG basics too). Meeting leader: Dr Anju Verma Clinical Teaching Fellow
Working with students in difficulty
Wed 16 March 2011
Glebe Road Surgery 1 Glebe Road, SW13 0DR
Working with students in difficulty : How can you tell if one of your students is having difficulty, and what should you do about it? This session offers tips on how to identify and manage the situation. Meeting Leaders: Dr Shelagh Olney and Dr Jenny Lebus (Academic Facilitators)
Clinical Methods Teaching introductory courses (for new CMT teachers)
- Wed 8 December 2010 R2/R3, Charing Cross
- Wed 13 April 2011 R2/R3 Charing Cross
Other important dates
Madingley conference (Society of Academic Primary Care)
Thurs 3/ Fri 4th February 2011
Madingley Hall, Cambridge
See here for more details: www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/sapc2011
Annual Teachers’ Day
Fri 24 June 2011
Reynolds building, Charing Cross
Examinations 2011
Year 3 OSCE
Tues 24 May
Charing Cross, St Mary’s, C&W, Northwick Park
Year 6 PACES
Tues 14 June, Wed 15 June,Thurs 16 June
C&W, SM
Year 5 PACES
Tues 5 July, Wed 6 July, Thurs 7 July
Chelsea & Westminster
Year 3 OSCE resit
Wed 24 Aug
Charing Cross
Year 5 PACES resit
Fri 23 Sept
Chelsea & Westminster
Year 6 PACES resit
Tues 27 Sept
Who is your Academic Facilitator and how can they help you?
Dr Lucy Abrahams explains the role of the academic facilitators and what they can do for you.
Imperial College GP teaching in London has been divided into “patches”, usually connected to one or two large hospitals (for example my area from Marylebone to Kingsbury contains St. Mary’s hospital and Central Middlesex). These patches are headed by an academic facilitator who is responsible for supporting the general practice teachers within it.
We help recruit new teachers, and visit prospective practices in order to assess their needs to be able to deliver excellent teaching. We act as a “go-between” for the Department of Primary Care and GP teachers in the community. We run local “patch” meetings where GP teachers can discuss any changes to courses, any teaching problems, and reflect on teaching approaches. These are a good opportunity to meet other teachers and members of the Imperial College team with cross fertilisation of ideas.
Any problems can be aired through your academic facilitator. We are there to encourage teachers in general practice to develop and advance their teaching portfolio: there are many opportunities to get more involved. Imperial students have always highly appreciated their GP teaching and we aim to keep up this excellent profile!
Who is your Academic Facilitator?
Your AcFac should be the nearest one to where you are based. If you are not sure, contact us in the department.
Dr Lucy Abrahams
The Law Medical Group Practice,
9 Wrottesley Road,
London NW10 5UY
l.abrahams@imperial.ac.uk
Dr Grant Blair
The Surgery,
82 Lillie Road,
London SW6 1TN
grant.blair@imperial.ac.uk
Dr Sipra Guha
Perivale Medical Clinic,
2 Conway Crescent,
Perivale, Greenford,
London UB6 3HX
sipra.guha@gp-E85111.nhs.uk
Dr Richard Hooker
Holland Park Surgery,
73 Holland Park,
London W11 3SL
richard.hooker7@bitinternet.com
Dr Baljit Johal
Twickenham Park Surgery,
17 Rosslyn Road,
East Twickenham, Middlesex
TW1 2AR
b.johal@imperial.ac.uk
Dr Jenny Lebus
The Surgery,
30 Chartfield Avenue,
Putney SW15 6HG
jenny@lebus.net
Dr Colin Leonard
Elthorne Park Surgery,
106 Elthorne Park Rd, London, W7 2JJ
colin.leonard@gp-E85628.nhs.uk
Dr Jan Maniera
Millbank Medical Centre,
20 Page Street, SW1P 4EN
j.maniera@imperial.ac.uk
Dr Mahendra Mashru
Swakeleys Medical Centre,
93 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8DQ
mahendra.mashru@gp-E86024.nhs.uk
Dr Shelgh Olney
The Surgery,
1 Glebe Road,
Barnes SW13 ODR
shelagholney@hotmail.com
Dr Beverly Peter
Enderley Road Surgery,
41-45 Enderley Road,
Harrow Weald HA3 5HF
beverlypeter@nhs.net
Dr Edward Shaoul
Brook Green Medical Centre, Bute Gardens, London W6 7EG
e.shaoul@imperial.ac.uk
Dr Vineet Thapar
Knowle Green Surgery,
Staines Health Centre,
Knowle Green Staines, Middlesex TW18 1XD
vineet.thapar@nhs.net
Annual GP Teachers’ Day 2010
GP Teacher Dr David Syme explains why he thinks the trip from Scotland is worth the effort...
High class teaching: Dr David Syme (right) with student Tom Smith on Carn Mor Dearg, a classic route to ascend Ben Nevis
For a rural GP in Scotland, just attending the Imperial College GP Teachers’ day is a major commitment. Sometimes, when I’m standing on the platform at Crianlarich, waiting for the London sleeper, and being eaten alive by the midges, I wonder if it’s worth the effort. I’m pleased to say that the answer is always “yes”.
The day is more or less divided into “housekeeping”, “education” and “entertainment” (sometimes all at the same time). Any changes or updates to the course are presented. Over the years I’ve heard some inspiring speakers in the fieldof medical education talking about developments in the field, both national and international.
But the highlight for me is meeting with GPs from very different areas. This year, two job-sharing doctors from London told me that they walked to their house calls to avoid difficulties with parking, and that they never carried drugs on visits. My visits can involve a 50 mile round trip and the 4x4 has a cache of drugs and equipment. I also remember a discussion on ethics where, among a panel of experienced GPs, their well-reasoned conclusions were totally different. I was certainly made to question some of my own values and assumptions. A chat with an inner-city GP led to me diagnosing vitamin D deficiency in a child of Asian origin - something I hadn’t come across before, but common to her….
There is usually a chance to speak to the students, who are invited along to form a sort of “Question Time” panel, about what they felt was good or bad about their GP teaching. The day provides an opportunity to put faces to the staff whose names you have seen on e-mails and letters, or spoken to on the phone, which I find helps with future communication.
I always find the day inspiring and go away keen to try out some of the ideas or tips that have been discussed. I’m usually also ready for a pint at the Crown and Anchor (Drummond Street – just handy for Euston before the night sleeper) but perhaps that’s a story for another day….
The next Annual GP Teachers’ Day is on Friday 24th June 2011, in the Reynolds Building at Charing Cross.
Teaching opportunities and Contacts
We are always interested in hearing from enthusiastic and committed GP teachers. If you already teach for us, maybe you would like to try teaching on another course in the GP curriculum? Teaching is an excellent way of contributing to medicine outside your role as a GP and enhances your appraisal.
We currently require teachers for the following courses:
First Clinical Attachment (FCA) (formerly Patient Contact Course) (Year 1)
Our First Clinical Attachment (FCA) course teaches students interviewing and communication skills and encourages them to think about illness and health from the patient's viewpoint.
Students visit a patient in pairs throughout the year, and GP tutors meet with their group of 10-12 students for tutorials. Full briefing and debriefing for tutors for each module.
Course Lead: Dr Ros Herbert r.herbert@imperial.ac.uk
Clinical Methods Teaching (CMT) (Year 3)
The GP teaches a small group of 4-6 students in a GP practice for two hours a week. The course is eighteen weeks a year. GPs can choose the days and weeks they teach. Patients at the practice provide a multitude of learning opportunities for the students in their first clinical year.
CMT is a cornerstone of the undergraduate curriculum, and has become a firm favourite of students. GPs who teach this course enjoy working with young students, and the flexible curriculum and timetable.
Course Lead: Dr Sarvesh Saini Sarvesh.saini@imperial.ac.uk
General Practice and Primary Health Care (GPPHC) (Year 5)
Our GPPHC course teaches students to apply a patient-centred approach to illness. The students observe the close doctor–patient relationship and the roles of other healthcare professionals in general practice. GPPHC is the ideal opportunity for the students to develop their consultation and clinical skills. They also learn about the roles and responsibilities of a GP and other allied health professionals, e.g. Health Visitor, Pharmacist, District Nurse. Students have a 3-week attachment in a GP practice, with an introduction, 2 consultation skills sessions, and a debrief in the department.
Course Leads: Dr Jo Athos & Dr James Stratford-Martin
General Practice Student Assistantship (GPSA) (Year 6)
The General Practice Student Assistantship equips students with an understanding of the work of a General Practitioner and the Primary Health Care team. Its focus on communication between primary and secondary care prepares students for their future work as a Foundation Year Doctor. Students have a 3-week residential attachment to a practice. They do several surgeries on their own, but under supervision, and a session on call.
Course Leads: Dr Grant Blair & Dr Jenny Lebus
Other Department teaching contacts:
- Director: Paul Booton p.booton@imperial.ac.uk
- Deputy Director: Graham Easton g.easton@imperial.ac.uk
Medical Ethics
- Wing May Kong w.kong@imperial.ac.uk
- Adrian Raby a.raby@imperial.ac.uk
Foundations of Clinical Practice programme
(including Problem-based Learning and Personal and Professional Development courses)
- Elizabeth Muir e.muir@imperial.ac.uk
Clinical Teaching Fellows
- Sian Powell sian.powell@imperial.ac.uk
- Caroline Collins caroline.collins@imperial.ac.uk
- Anju Verma a.verma@imperial.ac.uk
Administration contacts
- Kate Woodhouse k.woodhouse@imperial.ac.uk
- Tom Durley (FCA and GPPHC) t.durley@imperial.ac.uk
- Steve Platt (CMT and GPSA) s.platt@imperial.ac.uk
Student feedback on CMT
We have been finding out what our students think about the recently introduced surgical module in Clinical Methods Teaching (CMT) in year 3. We presented the findings from student focus groups at the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) meeting in Cambridge earlier this year. The students gave us frank feedback about the course with some specific suggestions for CMT teachers.
The students were generally very positive about the new module (three sessions covering topics such as abdominal pain, vascular disease, and lumps and bumps), and perceived GPs to be competent teachers of surgical topics. In particular they appreciated having protected time with GPs. There was a feeling that teachers could offer more critical feedback, and they valued feedback from patients and peers as well as teachers. Regular access to patients was a major plus of CMT teaching, but students felt that it wasn’t essential for teachers to spend ages finding patients with fascinating physical signs.
There was a preference for student-centred teaching styles, for example checking learning needs and reviewing previous sessions at the beginning of the next one. Students also gave a thumbs up to handouts and quizzes where appropriate, and they valued teachers who knew about OSCE exams, or had actually been an OSCE examiner. Finally, they did not mind teachers admitting they didn’t know something – so long as they tackled knowledge gaps with them at the time.
Dr Graham Easton (Senior Clinical Teaching Fellow)
Dr Sian Powell (Clinical Teaching Fellow)
