Delivering an undergraduate medical curriculum across Europe: aiming towards excellence in clinical placements through education research and staff development

Abstract

Background: in 2013/14, University of Southampton started a new under-graduate programme, the BM(EU), in cooperation with a German healthcare
provider. Students spend two years in Southampton alongside the British-based cohort and then undertake clinical placements in Germany.

Summary of Work: to appreciate the context in which BM(EU) students will be taught, we interviewed clinicians at our partner institution (n=13). Semi-structured interviews explored clinicians’ own experiences of placements as this is likely to impact on their teaching approaches and expectations of students. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using the constant comparison method.

Summary of Results: according to the literature, the German and UK medical education systems differ significantly in approaches to regulation and quality
assurance. Initial analysis of interview data indicated that the preliminary nursing placement and the final ‘practical year’ were the most memorable learning experiences. It also highlighted students’ autonomy in organising 3-of-4 placements. Without university involvement or pre-defined learning outcomes interviewees relied on personal motivation for successful placements.

Discussion and Conclusions: the BM(EU) is regulated by the General Medical Council and we must recognise that for our German partners, this regulatory
involvement and emphasis on competencies and learning outcomes may be novel. The research process and findings are already facilitating better
communication and will inform staff development.

Take-home messages: the research process and the findings of this project were and are intended to facilitate a dialogue about what constitutes
meaningful placement learning. It will also help inform staff development approaches and ultimately ensure that students’ placement experiences reflect the best of both worlds.

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