Realising Realistic Medicine: Chief Medical Officer for Scotland annual report 2015-2016 appendix

University of Aberdeen

Initial thoughts

Training at the university of Aberdeen is shaped by the principles and aligns with the values of Realistic Medicine. Meaningful educational experiences with an informed risk-based approach will underscore training for the future workforce. While students can't be wrapped in cotton wool, giving them a skill set and values to take into their later training will ensure Realistic Medicine is embraced by the future profession.

What have we done so far?

A curriculum review is being undertaken this year to align with Realistic Medicine, taking a person-centred approach. Students are being taught about the importance of recognising multi-morbidity and the variety of sources useful information can come from. Input from the third sector is now a part of teaching and later years undergo apprenticeship-style blocks with the aim of producing graduates who have a sense of the community they live and work in.

What next?

Work is ongoing to develop the curriculum. An educational programme looking at how to recognise risk is underway. Up to 20 students currently have a remote and rural experience and this will be expanded using technology such as GP live where students are able to observe a GP surgery via video-link and reflect on the interactions. This is available in Aberdeen but the aim is to expand to Shetland to enhance the students' understanding of person-centred care in different contexts.

Final thoughts

When thinking about how to teach Realistic Medicine at Universities, we must consider how to achieve Realistic Education. Changing the infrastructure of curricula will help shape the values of future doctors.