From the student's perspective

Alison Vaughan

14th August 2007.

Introduction

Thank you Valuable experience Theory comes to life

Were we well prepared?

Yes, thorough grounding in theory and practise.

Big step to working with real people.

Time out in years 1 & 2 More masking practise please.

Settling in

Get us organised 1st placement v 2nd Good to work in more than one

department.

Buddies

We are happy to be buddies to the year below us

Friend for the first few weeks. Preconceived ideas.

Finding accommodation

Not aware of real problems. Hospital accommodation Passing rooms on o next student Issue with paying double rent

Mentors

Grateful for constructive criticism Supportive and encouraging. Practise procedures on mentor Students are individuals

Tutorials

Really useful regular contact with mentor

Weekly to start, then fortnightly Great for moving project forward

and checking PDP diary being done

Projects

Wide range being set. Audits, protocols, essays, information leaflets, practical tasks.

Something that benefits the department most popular, essays least.

Really nice to give something back to the department.

Homework

Younger students – ‘bad idea!’ Mature students - ‘good idea!’ Small tasks weekly/fortnightly are

useful for filling in the gaps. Reading protocols & procedures,

researching small topics.

Study time

Various ways this is organised. Regular ½ day each week or

equivalent Please take our preferences into

account.

Logbook

Great way to ensure we become proficient in a range of clinical skills.

Daunting at the start. Problems when compulsory procedures

are not routinely practised. O’s & P’s before FD’s. Longer appt times sometimes needed.

Doing things differently

Can be confusing to start. Still based on BSA procedures. Good for our learning to find out

why things are different. Easy to get into bad habits Jumping through hoops for exams.

Responsibility for our own learning

Opportunities to observe related health care professions ENT & SALT, HT and cochlear implant patients

Background knowledge Inter-professional learning Really helpful experience

Get us involved

Working in out-reach clinics Different equipment Limited equipment – problem

solving Presenting our projects at staff

meetings.

One student or more

Students enjoy having another student in the department

Helps settling in, discussing issues, patients, moaning.

If you are considering more students, do.

Life commitments

Students with domestic commitments.

Thank you for your help

Was the placement successful?

Yes! Shaky start, once logbook and

projects were started students felt progress was being made.

Very valuable experience.

Passing on information

Good idea for a 4th year to chat with 2nd year students before they go out.

General outline of what to expect. However, we are all individuals and

react to situations differently. Pre-conceived ideas can be

unhelpful.

Summary

Placements are going well and students are grateful.

Few inconsistencies re study time. Few issues with logbook Opportunities in related areas. Out-reach clinics, reception, admin Improving our presenting skills.

Conclusion

Great to put theory into practise Happy where we are, mixed

feelings about returning to uni Valuable experience. Thank you again