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All of the consultants at Cornwall Hospice Care are very involved in lots of aspects of student teaching in the Peninsula Medical School – The core of these is student placements at the hospice but we also provide seminars, clinical skills training, academic tutoring and special study units. Although it is sometimes a lot of work to coordinate everything to make the placements a useful and enjoyable experience for students, it is something I feel is really important and which I think benefits both students and the hospice.
All doctors will have to deal with difficult communication, challenging symptom control and death and dying in their work at some time and these things can be really hard to do, and do well. It is so important that we start opening up and teaching on these issues with students so that they
We always make it clear to patients that they don't have to see students, but many enjoy making a contribution to education gain in skills and confidence as they develop as doctors and so that this doesn't become an area surrounded by misconceptions and fears. It's really satisfying for all of us to see students, perhaps initially a bit apprehensive at coming to the hospice, become so positive and excited about what we do and to see them learning, not only from the staff, but most of all from our patients. Patients also often enjoy seeing the students and having a chance to
“It is important for student nurses to gain experience within a Specialist Palliative Care unit, as not only will they learn about symptom control and specialist interventions but also to build on previously acquired skills in communication and holistic care.� - Lizzie Hotton, Unit Manager at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice, pictured with student nurse Megan Julian