There are a number of steps which Foundation School Directors and their local Foundation Programme Training Directors can take to encourage tasters in their Foundation Schools.
Foundation School Directors (FSD)
- Ensure tasters are promoted to FDs at their induction and throughout their foundation training.
- Promote the development of registers of tasters within the programme or school
- Include information about availability of local tasters on their school web pages
- Work with the regional career leads and programme directors of specialty schools to identify specialties and locations which might be encouraged to promote and develop tasters. These might include those specialties with recruitment challenges or those where career enquiries have regularly been made.
- Consider supporting local arrangements if necessary to facilitate “borrowing” of up to 5 days study leave from the F2 year for F1 doctors.
Foundation Programme Training Directors (FPTD)
- Maintain an up-to-date local register of tasters
- Ensure all taster experiences have an agreed timetable and clearly defined objectives
- Discuss tasters with FDs early in their F1 year and encourage them to plan them into their timetable or rota
- Encourage FDs to complete a reflection at the end of the taster period in the appropriate form in their e-portfolio
- Develop a feedback process and review post-taster evaluations to ensure they are meeting the needs of FDs
- Link with other taster providers to identify good practice and any barriers to successful experience
- Feed back to FSDs on tasters delivered and outcomes
- In exceptional circumstances, liaise with other local FPTDs to arrange access to tasters for FDs from nearby hospitals, for example, if FD has interest in specialty not available in their location.