Rotherham Student Doctor

Phase 4 provides you with the final block of clinical attachments prior to your final exams and shadowing period. It is an opportunity for you to identify and address gaps in your clinical knowledge and to start to work like a junior doctor.

When you come out to Rotherham you will be in a group of 20 Phase 4 students (there will be other students from Phase 3 also on site whilst you are in the hospital). The group of 20 will then be divided into 2 groups of 10. One group will be in Medicine and the other in Surgery.

During your attachment in either Medicine or Surgery you will be assigned in pairs to a Clinical Team with a designated consultant - you'll be told which Team during the Induction day. Aim to become an active member of the Team and in particular see what the F1 (House Officer) does as in a few months time this is the type of job you will be doing. This is a great asset if you get it right! However, remember that he/she and other members of the Clinical Team may be very busy so be prepared for some times when you're not going to be with them. Use this time wisely.

As well as the time you spend on the wards with your Clinical Team we will also organise teaching sessions which we hope you will find useful. Because this is the final stage in your undergraduate training we have made the majority of these clinically based with dedicated teaching at the bedside sessions with experienced medical and surgical staff. We can also provided you with Clinical Skills sessions and teaching about laboratory investigations if required.

For a few days during your attachment there may be some Phase 1a students with you on their ICE attachment. They have been instructed to shadow you, and past experience has shown they very much appreciate this as an introduction to the clinical arena so please look after them for this short time!

All the detailed information about you attachment will be covered in an in-depth Induction session on your first day at the hospital by the Undergraduate Team.

n	Do you know what those drugs are on the Drug Kardex? Get to know the ward Pharmacist.
n	What are the different fluids going into the patient and why?
n	What pain relief is the patient getting and why? Get to know the Acute Pain Team.
n	What about all the other charts at the end of the patient's bed - fluid balance etc?
n	Why has that test been requested and what does that lab result mean?
n	Do you know about the other investigations - ECGs, X-rays etc?
n	What other healthcare professionals are involved in the care of the patient and how do medical staff interact with them?