Medics to teach in primary schools

Wendy S Brown, Dundee

Medical students will teach primary school children about basic health care as part of their course. Queen’s University, Belfast, launched the student selected component “Medics in Primary Schools” last week.

The component, which aims to give students experience in communicating information to schoolchildren from a variety of social backgrounds, is initially to be undertaken in 35 primary schools across Greater Belfast.

The programme includes teaching about skin and its protection, healthy diet, temperature regulation and control of heat loss through insulation, structure and function of the heart and lungs, and the role of exercise in maintaining physical health. Simple experiments and investigations are planned for the class as part of the programme.

Student selected components are modules of the curriculum that allow students to decide what they want to study, but at least two thirds of them must be in subjects related to medicine. They are expected to make up between a quarter and a third of a standard five year undergraduate curriculum and should support the core course.

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"Do as I say, not as I do"

Professor Gerry McCormac, pro vice chancellor for community and communications at Queen’s University, said, “It not only gives our medical students the chance to improve their communication skills while working with children from a variety of backgrounds, but it also brings alive real issues about personal health to young children, who will meet the doctors of the future and be encouraged about a career in medicine or any of the related health sciences.”

Students will hopefully develop and gain experience in communicating with children and develop an understanding of the importance of providing a focused explanation and using aids to increase the quality of the explanation. Students will also hopefully gain experience in relating to and interacting with children, teachers, and parents. The component will give students insight into children’s understanding of physiology and issues related to health. Also, students are expected to raise the profile and promote positive images of the health service and health professionals.

Vincent Malone, senior manager at the First Trust Bank, said, “First Trust Bank is proud to support the Medics in Primary Schools project. This project offers the opportunity for medical students to develop skills which are essential in their future career paths. It also gives children a practical understanding of how their personal health and wellbeing can be affected by their surroundings. It is a unique offering to the British Isles and one we are delighted to be associated with.”



studentBMJ 2005;13:89-132 March ISSN 0966-6494

       

           

Responses published this month Articles Responses NEWS Medics to teach in primary schools       Wendy S Brown (March, 2005) Dan Waddington (March 8th, 2005) Read this response NEWS Medics to teach in primary schools       Wendy S Brown (March, 2005) Dan Waddington (March 8th, 2005)       2nd year, GKT daniel.waddington@kcl.ac.uk I have just read the article saying that Scotland has started a programme of medics teaching in primary schools. I am currently involved in a similar project at GKT. It involves teaching a series of lessons on health topics to 11 year olds in south east london seconary schools. I have found the module extremely enjoyable and i feel it has helped me develop communication, leadership and organisational skills in a way which has a clear benefit to the children in se london. Many of the schools have no organised and structured health teaching sessions and the teachers have been very grateful for the knowledge that we as medical students can bring. The children can relate to a younger teacher and i would highly recommend the experience to any student who has the opportunity to participate.