Twelve tips on how to establish a new undergraduate firm on a critical care unit

Abstract

Background: Little is known about undergraduate teaching in critical care unit (CrCU) and many undergraduate curricula lack placements in CrCU.

Aims: To describe how our CrCU succeeded in developing a novel placement for Year 3 undergraduate medical students.

Methods: Particular emphasis was placed on a robust timetable incorporating a variety of activities, a dedicated and thorough induction, and a mix of teaching methods such as formal and informal, consultant-led, and skills. Services allied to CrCU were also utilized.

Results: Our new firm has exceeded all expectations and, based on student feedback, received the “Firm of the Year” award for several years in succession. It now serves as a model of undergraduate teaching in our hospital.

Conclusions: Educationalists and intensivists should work together to unlock the full potential of this rich learning environment. Professional societies in critical care medicine should take the opportunity to develop more interest in undergraduate medical education.

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to all staff on the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital, for their involvement and dedication to undergraduate education. We are particularly thankful to five intakes of Year 3 students who have allowed us to teach, learn, and develop as a department. We would also like to express our gratitude to colleagues in nursing and management who allowed us to make this happen and to everybody else who provided help and support for this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Notes on contributors

Nasser Khan, MB ChB, is a Junior Education Fellow in Critical Care at LTHTR.

Keiarash Jovestani, MB ChB, is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine, current undergraduate firm lead and Associate Undergraduate Dean for Year 4 at LTHTR.

Craig Spencer, FRCA, FFICM, EDIC, Cert Med Ed, is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine and a previous undergraduate firm lead at LTHTR.

Raymond Man, MB ChB, is a Junior Education Fellow in Critical Care at LTHTR.

Mark Pugh, FRCA is Medical Director, Professor of Undergraduate Medical Education, and Consultant in Anesthetics and ICM at LTHTR and also a previous undergraduate firm lead at the CrCU.

Alexander Woywodt, FRCP, is a Consultant Nephrologist and Honorary Clinical Professor in Medicine and Associate Undergraduate Dean for Year 3 at LTHTR.