A new structured work observation programme for prospective medical students.

摘要

There is a paucity of comprehensive guidelines for the work experience programmes which may potentially risk breach in patient confidentiality, students being exposed to physical and psychological hazards and the patient's basic rights to privacy being threatened. We devised a structured work observation programme based on the guidelines issued by professional bodies such as GMC, BMA and the Royal colleges. Fifty-seven sixth form students were accepted for the work observation programme between 2002 and 2003- A formal programme of events included attendance to outpatient clinics, operating theatre, pharmacy and pathology departments. Responsibility for consent and confidentiality was predominantly with the consultants in each area and this was agreed with them. A retrospective postal questionnaire was conducted to determine the opinion of the participants.