People interested in how medical students are educated to ensure Wales’ doctors of the future get the skills they need to respond to the demands and pressures of modern health services are being urged to take the opportunity to have their say.
Cardiff University’s School of Medicine launched a major review of its undergraduate medical education programme earlier this month and it closes shortly.
The review, C21, examines all aspects of undergraduate medical education – from curriculum content to staff training. Changes to the curriculum will be phased-in over the next few years with the new curriculum in place by September, 2013.
Professor John Bligh, Dean of Medical Education at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine, who leads the review said: “The needs of modern medicine and a 21st century NHS mean that the way the next generation of doctors are educated needs to constantly change – we need to ensure that the skills and training our students get from the School of Medicine fit the needs of their careers in medicine.
“By undertaking such a fundamental review of medical education – we will develop a rigorous medical curriculum that will benefit students and doctors in training, clinical practice, and the wider community.”
Health policies which place greater emphasis on primary care and community based services means changing the way medical students are taught is more important than ever.
“With almost 80% of Cardiff’s medical students remaining in Wales after graduation, it is essential that the training they receive reflects the NHS’s changing priorities,” according to Professor Bligh.
“There is strong research evidence that shows that modern medical students need new ways of teaching and learning if they are to become the great doctors of the future and prepared to meet the changing needs of clinical services in Wales.
“It is crucial that we adapt our MB BCh programme to meet these challenges, and those of the General Medical Council, and create a truly world-class medical school which makes a significant contribution to the strategic objectives of the NHS in Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.”
The consultation exercise involves colleagues from across Cardiff University, student and patient representatives, the NHS and Welsh Assembly Government, and health professionals are all being urged to respond.
The consultation runs until 18th February 2011.
A report of the findings will be presented at the 1st Annual Curriculum Conference taking place on 2nd March 2011 at Cardiff University’s Heath Park campus and published on the C21 website.
Further information is available at: http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/c21/
