Abstract
Background
In recent years, rising numbers of medical students and an increasingly demanding clinical workload has put pressures on the educational systems for medical students in the hospital. Bedside teaching remains central to education, but tutorial delivery by registrars, tutors and consultants has proven to be increasingly difficult with the greater numbers of students now in the undergraduate system.
Aims
We have performed a pilot study to determine the feasibility of developing a Junior Tutor Programme, to assist in the delivery of tutorials to undergraduate medical students.
Methods
This was designed and delivered by interns under the supervision of the academic staff in the Departments of Medicine and Surgery in Connolly Hospital. The programme was evaluated by a questionnaire filled in by the students anonymously.
Results
A supervised programme of tutorials delivered by interns is a potentially useful way to ensure delivery of clinical teaching to undergraduate medical students.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Parry J, Mathers J et al (2008) More students, less capacity? An assessment of the competing demands on academic medical staff. Med Educ 42(12):1155–1165
Alpert J (2009) Some thoughts on bedside teaching. Am J Med 122(3):203–204
Glynn L, MacFarlane A et al (2006) Helping each other to learn—a process evaluation of peer assisted learning. BMC Med Educ 6:18
Ebbert M, Morgan P, Harris L (1999) A comprehensive student peer-teaching programme. Acad Med 74:583–584
Weyrich P, Schrauth M et al (2008) Undergraduate technical skill straining guided by student tutors—analysis of tutors’ attitudes, tutees’ acceptance and learning progress in an innovative teaching model. BMC Med Educ 8:18
Field M (2004) Peer-assisted learning in clinical examination. Lancet 363(9407):490–491
Peets A, Coderre S et al (2009) Involvement in teaching improves learning in medical students; a randomised cross-over study. BMC Med Educ 9:55
Busario J, Scherpbier A (2004) Why residents should teach: a literature review. J Postgrad Med 50:205–210
Nandi P, Chan J et al (2000) Undergraduate medical education: comparison of problem-based learning and conventional teaching. HKMJ 6:301–306
Williams K, Ramani S et al (2008) Improving bedside teaching: findings from a focus group study of learners. Acad Med 83(3):257–264
Conflict of interest
There are no conflicts of interest to declare in association with this piece of work.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dunne, B., Smyth, P., Furlong, H. et al. Interns as teachers of medical students: a pilot programme. Ir J Med Sci 180, 211–214 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-010-0552-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-010-0552-9