Monica Doshi is a part-time consultant psychiatrist, honorary senior lecturer and undergraduate clinical tutor for psychiatry at the Joint Warwick Leicester Medical School (St Michaels Hospital, St Michaels Road, Warwick CV34 5QW, UK. E-mail: M.Doshi.1{at}warwick.ac.uk). Nick Brown is a consultant psychiatrist and Clinical Sub-Dean at the University of Birmingham and an Associate Dean at the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The views expressed are personal and do not represent the views of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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For psychiatry, consideration of what constitutes good clinical care and the working life of the consultant are fundamental to understanding the desired outcomes of training. The latter is the subject of some debate. The current position is helpfully outlined in Guidance on New Ways of Working for Psychiatrists in a Multi-disciplinary and Multi-agency Context (Department of Health, 2004b). This publication highlights the need to develop knowledge, expertise, skills for lifelong learning (CPD), team-working (with fellow professionals, patients and carers) and a value-driven ethical basis for practice.
New training methods are being introduced within services that are themselves in a state of flux. Legislation such as the European Working Time Directive (Council of the European Union, 1993) and policy initiatives such as the National Service Framework for Mental Health (Department of Health, 1999) and NHS Plan (Department of Health, 2000) are forcing considerable changes in the NHS.
In common with all aspects of training, specialist training will from autumn 2005 come under the auspices of a new government body, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB). Its principles will be in line with the changes described above.
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| Box 1 The advantages and shortfalls of patient-based teaching Advantages
Shortfalls
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Patient-based teaching enables direct feedback from the patient (Ferenchick et al, 1997) and offers the opportunity for shadowing (see next section), in which trainees can observe a humanistic approach from an experienced clinician and learn from this (Dent, 2001).
Numerous aspects of patient assessment and management can be taught by patient-based teaching (Ramani, 2003). Interpersonal skills such as empathy, sensitivity and communication can be learnt by observation and shadowing or by performance under supervision with feedback.
The General Medical Council states that general clinical training is an integral part of basic medical education, the aim of which includes the development of competence in history-taking, clinical examination, interpretation and selection of diagnostic tests, making diagnoses, decision-making and provision of treatment (General Medical Council, 1997). These basic skills are required for the processes of assessing and treating patients. The Council also requires that doctors treat patients politely and considerately; respect their dignity, privacy and rights; listen to them and respect their views; respect their right to be involved in decisions about their care; be honest and trustworthy; and respect and protect confidential information (General Medical Council, 2001). A number of authors have indicated how these skills and requirements can be learned through patient-based teaching. For example, communication skills can be practised in discussing a therapeutic intervention with a patient (Rees, 1987; Janicek & Fletcher, 2003); clinical reasoning and decision-making (Jolly et al, 1998), clinical ethics (Seigler, 1978) and appropriate attitudes (LaCombe, 1997) can all be learned in interactions with real patients.
The dwindling patient base
Unfortunately, opportunities to teach with in-patients have been declining for some time. This might in part explain the reduced role of clinical teaching (LaCombe, 1997), which has been found to be ad hoc, often poorly supervised and dependent on the clinical material available (Cox, 1993a). Often only parts of the curriculum can be covered purely by clinical teaching.
There are opportunities for patient-based teaching in community settings but this is not easy to observe and supervise. Out-patient clinics also offer the opportunity but teaching can conflict with the pressures of service delivery. One way of fitting teaching time into a clinic schedule with minimal impact on the number of patients seen is to apply wave scheduling (Fig. 1
), a technique suggested by Ferenchick et al(1997).
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Fig. 1 Wave scheduling.
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| Box 2 Models for patient-based teaching Shadowing (role-modelling) The trainee shadows a consultant and learns by observation Patient-centred The trainee is allocated patients and follows their progress from start to end of episode of illness Reporting back The trainee assesses the patient and reports back to the trainer Direct observation The trainer observes the trainees performance directly Videoing interviews The trainees interview with the patient is videotaped and later viewed with the trainer Case conference A case is presented to and discussed by a wider audience
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Shadowing (role-modelling)
Shadowing or role-modelling enables trainees to learn from the behaviour of a senior clinician in consultations with patients the clinicians attitude to the patient, their professional approach, their handling of difficult situations and how they negotiate treatment plans. This works well in out-patient clinics and when a good example is set. Should the senior clinician not have a professional approach then the students learning might be misguided. Another problem with shadowing is that the learning is passive it relies on the students motivation to observe and reflect on what is happening.
Patient-centred teaching
In contrast to shadowing, patient-centred teaching is an active technique in which trainees are allocated patients at the start of their placements. They assess the patients and follow their progress during treatment. They are encouraged to present their findings, interpret investigation results and be involved in discussions about patient management. They supplement what they have learnt by background reading. They are actively involved in their learning by being encouraged to review their patients regularly and contribute to ward discussions. This approach requires consultants to spend time on management.
The report-back model
In this approach, the trainee sees the patient alone for assessment, for example to take a history. They report back to the trainer, presenting their findings, their views on the diagnosis (problem-solving) and the appropriate management (judgement). They are given constructive feedback by the trainer.
Direct observation
In direct observation the trainer sits in on the trainees interview with a patient to observe the trainee on a set task (e.g. discussing with a patient a change of treatment). After the interview, the trainer gives feedback on the trainees performance. This is a useful technique for learning isolated skills but less appropriate for teaching clinical judgement or problem-solving.
Videotaped interviews
The trainee videotapes an interview with a patient (the patients consent is required see General Medical Council, 2002). Later, the video (which can be paused during play) is viewed with the trainer (and perhaps with other trainees) and its content is discussed. This is a useful way of learning consultation and communication skills.
Case conferences
A case is presented to a wider (sometimes multi-professional) audience and interesting or challenging aspects are discussed.
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It is crucial to understand the trainees previous experience, level of competence and desired outcome. The learning needs and outcomes for a senior house officer (SHO) in the first 6 months of training are different from those of an SHO approaching the Royal College of Psychiatrists membership examinations. Similarly, the needs of a psychiatric trainee differ from those of a trainee for general practice. By knowing the experience and career aims of the trainee you can pitch the learning session at the right level and select suitable content to meet their needs. Planning must include anticipation of trainee numbers and required resources (e.g. how many students, how large is the room, what equipment is available and will other staff be present?).
Session design
There are two key aids in the design of sessions. One is an understanding of the experiential learning cycle (Kolb, 1984), the four stages of which are:
Thus, the trainee continues to develop by learning through direct experience and reflection.
The other aid is a sound knowledge of the curriculum content. The trainer (and, indeed, the trainee) has a clear duty to be familiar with contemporary expectation.
Selection of patients
Choice of patients to be used in teaching requires careful consideration. Janicek & Fletcher (2003) emphasise attending to the patients comfort as the first step in teaching at the bedside. The patients clinical condition must not be detrimentally affected by the teaching. Selection of patients also requires that any teaching can fulfil curriculum objectives. The patient must have capacity to give consent and full consent must be obtained. Thus, they should be told what is likely to happen during the session how many trainees to expect, what the aims of the session are, what the trainees will do, how long it is likely to take and how they can stop the session if they want to. The patient must be informed that there might be discussion that does not relate to themselves or their condition and that their confidentiality will be maintained. They can be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session. It is important to clarify how they wish to be addressed during the session.
Obviously, the trainer must know the patient and their condition. Some clinicians have lists of patients who are willing to participate in training. This makes it easier to plan teaching and cover the curriculum.
Trainers worry that patients participating in teaching could find it stressful, upsetting or detrimental to their health. However, research suggests that most patients like being involved in this way (Wright, 1974; OFlynn et al, 1997; Lynöe et al, 1998). Patients report that they learn about their condition, feel special and experience increased self-esteem. They also value the opportunity to use their illness to benefit others.
Fictional case example
Mr. A is a 36-year-old man who was assessed by a trainee as a new patient in an out-patient clinic. He presented with low mood and symptoms of anxiety. Investigations reveal that his gamma-glutamate (
-GT) level is markedly raised. He is due to be seen by the same trainee at the next clinic and agrees for the interview to be a teaching session with the trainer present. The case has been fully discussed with the trainer, who has surmised that the most likely cause of the raised
-GT is excessive alcohol consumption.
Aim of the teaching session
The trainee will learn how to manage a patient with raised a
-GT level.
Objectives of the session
The first-year SHO in psychiatry will sensitively and honestly:
-GT;
-GT;
-GT;
Define learning outcomes
Before beginning the teaching, the trainer should define the desired learning outcome (the aim) and set objectives for the teaching session that will achive this aim. To do this it is necessary to clarify what the trainees should gain from the teaching. What should they know and be able to do at the end of the session? How should their attitudes change? (e.g. should they improve their understanding of the impact of illness on the lives of patients and their families?). A trainer could encourage trainees to take responsibility for their own learning by asking them to set their own learning outcomes (within the context of the curriculum). This approach can enhance the trainees motivation to learn.
In the fictional case example above, the aim is given in a broad statement describing the general goal of the teaching and it gives rise to the objectives, specific statements detailing what will be attained in the session. Well-written objectives contain four elements:
-GT);
-GT); These points enable the trainer to set the content and select appropriate teaching strategies for the teaching session. The resulting objectives give clear guidance to the trainee of what is expected and therefore direct their learning.
Session planning
There are principles that determine the content and sequence of any learning or teaching session. It is important not to overwhelm the trainees. Attempting to cover too much will result in little being retained. Concept mapping (Lawless et al, 1998) is useful for selecting crucial, rather than less relevant of interest, content. Concept mapping involves brainstorming all the potential content of a curriculum topic and then selecting the essential and desirable components to be taught and learnt, avoiding overlap with things that can easily be read in books.
The events of instruction model (Gagné et al, 1992) is useful for structuring sessions (Box 3
). The process of learning from patients is well-described by Coxs figure of 8 sequence (Cox, 1993ah), which involves the sequential phases of experience followed by explanation (Fig. 2
).
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Fig. 2 Coxs structure for bedside teaching (Cox, 1993a). © The Medical Journal of Australia. Reproduced with permission.
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Box 3 The eight events of instruction (Gagné et al, 1992)
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It is a good idea to draft a plan for the session (see Curzon, 1997: p. 277). This should establish a sequence for the teaching, set out the time frame and give structure to the session.
Starting the session
Before any training session begins, the trainee should be told the objectives of the session and what will be expected of them. For example, if the session involves face-to-face interactions with a patient, the trainee will be expected to be courteous and empathic. Boundaries such as the time available with the patient should be set.
Trainees will need certain theoretical knowledge before they can learn clinical skills, and the trainer should question them to ensure that they have this. Box 4
shows questions appropriate to our case example. Without such knowledge the trainee will not have a successful encounter with the patient.
Box 4 Appropriate preliminary questions relating to the case example
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By asking questions the trainer is also encouraging the active involvement of the trainee. People who learn actively (by doing and thinking rather than passive observation) have a deeper understanding and better retention of what they have learnt. They have increased motivation, curiosity and interest. Questioning encourages logical and analytical thinking.
Formulating questions requires skill. Generally, questions should:
If the trainee gives a poor answer they can be gently corrected, given hints, offered prompts and provided with explanations to find the solution. They could be asked further questions that enable them to work through to a better answer.
Explanations may be interpretive (explaining what), descriptive (explaining how) and reason-giving (explaining why) (Brown & Atkins, 1988). They are important and they work best when the information is given in small chunks and expressed in clear language.
It is important to enhance and maintain the trainees motivation by being supportive, approachable and non-judgemental. According to Newble & Cannon (2001), good teachers are those that are friendly, helpful and understanding. Trainees should be praised for correct responses because success breeds success. Humiliation has the opposite effect.
During the session
What happens during the session will depend on the teaching model being used. For example, in direct observation, the patient and trainee will be introduced to each other and the trainer will then observe as the trainee performs a set task such as explaining an abnormal blood test result to the patient.
Ending the session
At the end of sessions involving patients, the trainee or trainer should debrief the patient, check that they are comfortable and thank them for their help. They should also be given the opportunity to ask questions. They might also be asked to give their views during the subsequent feedback stage.
It is imperative to give feedback to the trainee after the session. Constructive feedback enhances learning (Rolfe & McPherson, 1995), and without it the learners do not know whether what they are doing is acceptable. Unfortunately, review of medical teaching has demonstrated that feedback is often badly given or not given at all (Metcalfe & Matharu, 1995; Beckman, 2004). Feedback should be constructive and prompt. Giving feedback should start with what has been done well, then areas that could be improved should be covered, explaining how. It should be based on specific examples. Instead of You did well it is more helpful to say You were sensitive in telling the patient about his raised
-GT, in exploring and answering his worries and putting him at ease. This enabled you to build a good therapeutic relationship with him. The trainee might be asked to say how they thought they did, which encourages active involvement in their learning. Chambers & Wall (2000) give a good description of several models for giving feedback, including Pendletons rules.
As part of giving feedback, trainees should be encouraged to reflect on what they would and would not do given a similar encounter in the future.
After feedback, trainees should recap on what they have learnt and should be encouraged to seek clarification on aspects they have not understood. They could be informally tested to consolidate their knowledge and to confirm that they have indeed learnt something. They could also be given activities to build on what they have learnt, for example suggested reading or another patient to see.
After the session
The trainer needs to reflect on the session what went well and what was less successful. This helps to identify what and how things might be done differently next time in order to improve their teaching.
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View this table: [in a new window] | Table 1 Strategies to deal with problems of group dynamics during small-group teaching (Quinn, 2000) |
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Learning based on patient contact will remain at the core of medical education, and a patient-based approach in medical training will enable trainees to develop professional and humanistic skills as well as medical knowledge. However, the decreasing clinical opportunity for patient-based teaching within in-patient settings requires that training be more community-based, in out-patient clinics, day hospitals and even specially developed units. One solution to the conflict between the pressures of service provision and the delivery of good-quality training would be for rotation organisers to run small, patient-based teaching groups rather than traditional one-to-one clinical sessions.
Trainers will need particular skills in both planning and teaching. The full curriculum must be covered and the educational cycle will incorporate preparation, planning, feedback and evaluation. To ensure the quality of the teaching they deliver, trainers will themselves need formal training. Units may even consider the creation of specialist consultant posts for teaching.
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View this table: [in a new window] | MCQ answers |
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