‘Your NHS needs you!’ Inspiring the next generation through interactive workshops

Corcoran, Alex (2022) ‘Your NHS needs you!’ Inspiring the next generation through interactive workshops. RCGP/WONCA conference, Excel centre, London, United Kingdom. 29 Jun - 01 Jul 2022.

Abstract

Background General practice is experiencing a staffing crisis. Long-term recruitment solutions are needed to address this. Existing research highlights the importance of career guidance in schools to shape students’ future plans and promote diversity in healthcare.

Aim To determine the value of school outreach programmes in influencing career choices in primary care.

Method In response to this, an interactive workshop was developed for students in school years 10–13, aiming to inspire interest in primary care careers. The workshop starts with an overview of the roles within a GP surgery team, highlighting the many positive and rewarding aspects of the work. Then, dividing into smaller groups, the students are given hands-on experience of using various pieces of medical equipment, with time for debriefing and questions after.

Results Qualitative data was gathered pre- and post-session. Results from 80 workshops, reaching over 2000 students showed that pre-session, 56% of students were considering a career in the NHS, this rose to 78% in the post-session feedback. 86% of students said that the session had positively impacted their views on NHS and primary care careers.

Conclusion These results demonstrate the value of school outreach in influencing career choices, supporting the NHS long-term plan’s goal to address workforce shortages. Investing in young talent is crucial for building a sustainable future for the NHS.

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