Leadership and Management in Primary Care: Student selected component pilot study

Problem

Recruitment to a career in primary care is a National priority. Leadership and management are important components of medical undergraduate curricula but clinical attachments rarely present, or make transparent, the myriad of leadership and a management opportunities within primary care, to medical undergraduates. This pilot study was an attempt to address this.

Approach

A hybrid five week student selected component opportunity was devised for Final Year students, combining university led tutorials with an immersive experience within practices, focusing on all aspects of leadership denoted in the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management curriculum for Medical Undergraduates. Students worked on a project important to and timely for the participating practices, as well as undertaking 'mini-task' work on other domains of leadership and management. Practices involved students with all internal and external meetings, and supported students through contact with Managers and Managing Partners. Assessment was through an essay requiring students to suggest a strategic approach for the practice over the following year. Evaluation was obtained for students and the participating practices. The attachment was funder by NHSE primary care tariff.

Findings

The pilot was popular with students and practices, with more requesting participation than could be accommodated. Placements were restricted to August to December. Six students were recruited, with one dropping out due to illness, and five practices. All students rated the experience as excellent (4) or good (1), and the same rated the placement as excellent (4) or good (1). All students were more likely to choose general practice as a career and all were more likely to undertake a leadership role in future. Students suggested some clinical work would enhance their understanding of the operational processes, a suggestion was made to experience more than one practice, and they requested tutorial material prior to sessions. All practices were highly positive about the student engagement, and the placement, and thought the student participation in projects was key to the value of the placement. Practices would have liked more detail of the tutorials.

Consequences

A student selected component attachment in leadership and management in primary care was deemed excellent learning value by the participating practices and most students. The attachment increased the motivation of students participating to undertake further leadership activities and a career in primary career. The pilot will be expanded next year, with inclusion of further activities within practices, and forward communication of tutorial content to the supervisors in practice.