Projects
Raising Concerns Project
Research
The steering group raised concerns about a gap between the provided opportunities to raise concerns and the motivation of students in doing so. On reviewing the literature, it was discovered that this is a documented phenomenon and whilst there is a survey for junior doctors relating to bullying and harassment, no such survey exists for medical students. In response to this, three students from the steering group have developed a questionnaire to investigate the factors that influence the decision to raise concerns amongst students as well as their confidence and knowledge of current reporting systems. The questionnaire will be repeated in the future to see if interventions, such as the Raising Concern Support Volunteer role, are improving confidence and motivation in using the raising concerns processes.
Raising Concerns Support Volunteer
On discussion within the steering group, it was felt there was a gap in communication and confidence between students and WMS when it came to raising concerns about equality and diversity issues. A volunteer role was proposed to support students who felt they had experienced issues that qualified for the raising concerns process but did not feel confident on the best way to proceed.
The volunteers are trained in mentoring and active listening skills and have professional supervision every 6 weeks.
Students will be able to access 3 confidential sessions where they will be able to talk through their concern, be guided on the appropriate reporting systems and support they can access as well as be supported through the initial reporting stages.
Find out more about the volunteers and how to get support here.
LGBT+ Consultation
The student steering group was invited to contribute to a consultation on teaching on health and welfare in the LGBT+ community in the MHChB curriculum. In response we decided to survey the student population to gauge how the current curriculum is perceived as well as give an opportunity for suggestions of additions and improvements. We had responses from a diverse range of students identifying several key areas including improved diversity in CBL cases, a focus on mental and reproductive health in the LBGT+ community and education around the use of pronouns. It was shown that it would be useful for students to be shown a curriculum map to demonstrate what topics are covered throughout the degree and when to expect them. This will be published on the Athena SWAN webpages.
This consultation is ongoing and results will be publish on completion.
Rainbow Badge Scheme
The student survey gave participants the opportunity to suggest successful programs that they had previously seen. One program that was suggested was the Rainbow Badge Scheme. This scheme is an initiative that gives students a way offer open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for patients and their families, who identify as LGBT+ i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (the “+” simply means that we are inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves). The Rainbow Badge initiative originated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital to make a positive difference by promoting a message of inclusion.
Julia Alsop and Liz Lennox both volunteered to run three sold out seminars aiming to introduce students to the key things to consider when working with LGBT+ patients. The seminar gives an opportunity for students to learn more about the healthcare experiences of LGBT+ patients, to consider in practice how to respectfully consider LGBT+ identities (such as asking pronouns), and to be able to ask any questions around the topic for practical use in clinical settings. The ultimate aim is to empower students to best be an ally to LGBT+ patients.
In order to run these seminars, we submitted a successful proposal to fund the rainbow badges. The Dean’s office has also shown interest in providing these seminars to a broader audience.