UKFPO Bulletin – October 2024
Stoptober
Black History Month
National Work Life Week – 7-11 October
Other national campaigns this month
Action for happiness calendar – ‘Optimistic October’
In this edition
– Introduction by Dr Mike Masding
– Spotlight on educational resources
– Events and opportunities
– Webinars
– Elfh update
– Reflection
Introduction
Welcome to the October bulletin!
I hope all is well with everyone associated with the Foundation Programme. As we move into autumn, and most of you pass the halfway point of the August-November job, in this edition of my blog, I would like to give some thoughts about on-the-job learning in the Foundation Programme.
Learning opportunities in the Foundation Programme
The curriculum describes the many opportunities available for your development as a foundation doctor. The most important of these is through the work you do in patient care, through talking about the care provided with your colleagues, and through reflecting on what you’ve done. It is also important to receive, and to accept, feedback on your performance, having been observed through Supervised Learning Events (SLEs). Finally, there are formal learning events like core teaching sessions, simulation sessions and e-learning.
Communities of practice
Some years ago, the concepts of situated learning in communities of practice and legitimate peripheral participation were described. If you want to read more, there is lots about this online.
These theories are, I think, particularly applicable to learning in medicine. The most important learning you do as a foundation doctor is through participating in the work of your clinical team: even what may seem to be a mundane service task can be a learning opportunity if you think about how it might affect the patient, you, and your clinical colleagues. By talking about the patient care that you provide with your colleagues, you will get a wider understanding of the great contribution that you make to patient wellbeing and safe care, and how you did that.
Reflecting well
Our September webinar was about using the e-portfolio, reflective writing and getting good feedback. A recording of the webinar is on our webinars webpage. If you’re not sure how to use your e-portfolio, I recommend listening to Dr Lauren Loughrey’s talk on this subject, and also Dr Lorraine Parks’s wisdom on giving and getting good written feedback.
In the webinar, I spoke about how to get the most out of reflective writing – the importance of getting past the description of what happened (which is the least important part of a reflective piece), and writing down, analysing, and learning from how you felt and thought about the incident. As someone who is much nearer the end of my career than the start of it, I recommend developing your reflective writing skills, as in thinking about how I think and how I feel, and then writing it down, I have become a much better doctor over the years.
On-the-job learning
So, try to use your clinical work as an opportunity to learn; remember that the contribution to care you make is so important to patients; watch what your seniors do and think whether this is something you can learn from; reflect on how you’ve got on, how you’ve felt, learn from this.
Best wishes
Dr Mike Masding
Co-chair of the UKFPO
Spotlight on educational resources
FP assessments
Review important information in last year’s webinar on TAB, PSG and summary narrative.
elearning
Have you reviewed the elearning for healthcare page on our website? There are loads of helpful courses and resources that will support you throughout your training year.
SCRIPT
As you will likely be aware, all foundation doctors have free access to the Safe Prescriber resources on https://www.safeprescriber.org/. If you have not already signed up, please do this and explore what’s on offer. If you’re not sure which modules may be most helpful for you, have a chat with your clinical supervisor or local postgraduate centre team.
Events and opportunities
National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day (NFDPD) 2025
We are pleased to be running this annual event to showcase and celebrate the achievements of doctors in the Foundation Programme. Details are on our NFDPD webpages.
Webinars
Recordings
The following recordings are now available on our webinars webpage:
‘E-portfolios, reflection and good quality written feedback‘, held on 17 September 2024
‘Pre-allocation‘ (for applicants for the FP starting in August 2025), held on 12 September 2024
Coming up
18 October 2024 (13:00-14:00): Everyday ethical decision-making for foundation doctors
Elfh update
Review the September 2024 elfh update
Reflection
Do you have a good work-life balance? For further information and ideas, see the National Work Life Week campaign.
Have you checked your e-portfolio and updated it with anything from your first rotation? For further information and guidance, see our e-portfolio and ARCP checklist pages.