Introducing a Medical Education Module for Medical Students

Background
Students on the BSc Medicine course complete an Honours level project. This year a Medical Education module was added to the options for students. The aim of the module is to introduce students to the principles of education as they are applied to medicine.
Summary of work
The module has a theoretical component, which is research into a topical aspect of medical education and a practical component where the students practise a range of teaching techniques. The students attend staff meetings associated with the teaching.
Summary of results
Each student(2) taught four clinical practical skills sessions and one knowledge based anatomy practical to first year students. Staff provided written and verbal feedback between the sessions. For each session students were required to outline a lesson plan and keep a reflective log. The final grade for this module was based on the written dissertation from the theoretical component but reflected the enthusiasm and ability in the practical teaching component.
Conclusions
Offering students an opportunity to teach their peers develops their understanding of the principles of education. In addition they become familiar with different teaching and appraisal techniques.
Take-home message
Encouraging students to take an interest in education will better prepare them for teaching colleagues in their future career.