Context

RCPE has been developing services directly related to the teaching and assessment of clinical skills in response to increasing demand for this element of physicians training (UK and internationally).

The resurgence in interest in bedside teaching and skills reflects the need for greater communication with patients as partners and reducing the impact and risk associated with unnecessary diagnostic tests to agree a diagnostic journey and/or care pathway that delivers  “realistic medicine” or “choosing wisely”.

The College is a member (jointly with the University of Edinburgh ) of the newly established Society of Bedside Medicine – a global association of physicians dedicated to bedside teaching and improving physical examination and diagnostic skills. More information is available here https://bedsidemedicine.org/membership/.

A former Council member and Regional Adviser Professor Andrew Elder is about to take up a sabbatical post in Stanford in bedside teaching .

Clinical Skills Tutor

RCPE is seeking the support of an energetic consultant physician or senior trainee with an interest in bedside teaching and the development and enhancing of clinical skills to develop this work stream. We believe there is significant interest internationally but also in the UK with a demand for educating teaching faculty in clinical skills teaching and assessment and in preparing trainees for clinical examinations and practice thereafter.

RCPE runs an annual programme of specialty symposia, training courses and short evening updates with much of this material available alongside bespoke on-line education modules on our e-learning platform . This new role is to lead the development of clinical teaching elements to strengthen  our overall education programme. Initially the role will require research and planning to scope out optimal areas of work for development, and delivery of already identified needs by international partners. There may be opportunities to travel with teams supporting clinical skills teaching and assessment needs overseas.

The post will report to the Director of Training in the first instance but will also have regular links with the Director of Education and the College’s International Executive. The role is for 2 years in the first instance.

A work commitment of up to 4 hours a week is envisaged on average with most meetings and dialogue achieved electronically. This is not a remunerated post but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with the RCPE travel policy.

For additional information or an informal discussion please contact Dr Tom Mackay, Vice President, Tom.mackay@luht.scot.nhs.uk

Selection Criteria