School link encourages careers in medicine
A lively celebration event took place at University House in September to mark the end of the first year of a partnership between Elliott Hudson 6th Form College and the medical school.
The event was attended by School staff and students and Elliott Hudson staff and students involved in the project.
During the last academic year, third-year medical students were given the opportunity to engage in shared ultrasound teaching sessions with A-level science students at Elliott Hudson College. This was part of a pilot research project to evaluate the potential benefits of shared learning between undergraduate medical students and sixth form college students as part of widening access to medicine.
The focus of the shared learning was to develop an understanding of ultrasound applications and techniques with the sessions delivered by Leeds staff on the college site.
The pilot project, supported by funding from the University Alumni Footsteps fund, has been evaluating the impact of the shared learning experience on students and staff with some very positive findings.
Highlights of the celebration evening included a presentation by the Elliott Hudson students who reported how excited and enthused they were by the opportunity to learn together with the medical students. Hawwa Iqbal, who presented on behalf of the Year-3 Leeds medical students, reported how beneficial she had found the experience of learning with the college students and the opportunity afforded for near-peer teaching.
The project will continue this academic year with a package of shared learning initiatives taking place across both sites involving Elliott Hudson A-level and Advanced Diploma Health and Social Care students and medical and allied health professional students from the school. A research bid has been submitted to the Nuffield Foundation to support evaluation of the project.
Special thanks to students involved in this project, including Murshal Al-Jahadhmy, Yusuf Yusuf, Lottie Smith, Ikra Khaliq, Kasia Bajkowska and Aga Baryla.
For further information please contact: Dr Anne-Marie Reid or Laura Smith.
Hawwa Iqbal, Year 3, MBChB
