Twelve tips for providing effective student support in undergraduate medical education

Abstract

Medical students often require high levels of specialised institutional and personal support to facilitate success. Contributory factors may include personality type, course pressures and financial hardship. Drawing from research literature and the authors’ experience, 12 tips are listed under five subheadings: policy and systems; people and resources; students; delivering support; limits of support. The 12 tips provide guidance to organisations and individual providers that encourages implementation of good practice and helps them better visualise their role within the system. By following the tips, medical schools can make more effective provisions for the expected, diverse and sometimes specialist needs of their students. Schools must take a proactive, anticipatory approach to provide appropriately for their entire student body. This ensures that students receive the best quality support, are more likely to succeed and are adequately prepared for their medical careers.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Notes on contributors

CLAIRE L. VOGAN, PhD, is the Director for Student Support and Guidance in the College of Medicine at Swansea University.

JUDY MCKIMM MBA MA(Ed) is Professor and Dean of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Swansea University.

ANA l. DA SILVA, PhD, is the Lead for Personal Tutoring and Lecturer in Medical Education in the College of Medicine at Swansea University.

ANDREW GRANT MBBS, MHPE, PhD was Senior Lecturer in the institute of Medical Education, Cardiff University at the time of writing the paper. He is now Professor of Clinical Education, College of Medicine, Swansea University.