GUIDANCE ON THE PROVISION OF TASTERS FOR FOUNDATION DOCTORS PENINSULA FOUNDATION SCHOOL

Principles

 

1. The primary purpose of tasters is for trainees to explore career alternatives in a specialty they will not experience in their foundation programme.
2. Tasters should be advertised to F1s during shadowing and induction and throughout their F1 year.
3. Applications for tasters should be made in accordance with the local policy for applying for study leave.  F1s may use 5 days study leave of their F2 allowance in F1 for tasters.
4. It is not expected that under ordinary circumstances there will be any charges made by departments for tasters.

Planning

1. Tasters will usually be at least two days and no more than five days in duration. 
2. A register of tasters will be kept locally and centrally by the trust Post Graduate Education team - please see a list of trust contacts below (appendix 2).  The register of tasters should include a key contact, a summary of each placement and a suggested timetable.  Please see appendix 1.
3. Trainees may request to complete a taster in a nearby hospital if the specialty is not available in their trust.
4. Each taster should be discussed in advance of the placement to enable the foundation doctor to communicate their aims and objectives.
5. The trainee should be welcomed on the first day and inducted into the department.  The trainee should be introduced to their main contact for the placement and this person should meet with them regularly to ensure that the placement is meeting expectations.

 Review

1. At the end of the placement the trainee will review the taster through completion of a Taster report and an evaluation form.   A copy of both forms will be made available to the Foundation School as well as being reviewed locally at trust level.

Appendix 1

Example 1 - Taster in Anaesthetics

Key contact: .......................................................................

Brief overview of placement: 

	AM (08.00 – 12.30)	PM (13.30 – 17.30)	Notes
Monday	Meet Dr A at 9.30, discuss work of specialty Plan for week Induction to department Tour of theatres / ITU Meet consultants and trainees Theatre with Dr B Inpatient list Ward visit for pre-assessment Preparing the theatre with OPD Communication skills
Tuesday	Day surgery theatre with Dr C Suitability for day surgery Chronic pain clinic with Dr D
Wednesday	Acute pain ward round with Dr E Prescribing for acute pain Intensive Care Unit with Dr F Outreach programmes Care of the acutely ill patient		Department teaching for trainees at lunchtime
Thursday	Obstetric theatre with Dr A Explore future developments in specialty On call with Dr F until 21.00 Emergency theatre		Long day shift – end at 21.00 after handover to night shift.
Friday	Theatre with Dr C Airway management Visit recovery room Attend simulator session with trainees Review meeting with Dr A Discuss the week and career planning for anaesthesia and critical care		Complete evaluation and hand in. Reflective entry in portfolio.

 

Example 2 – Taster in Cardiology

Key contact: .......................................................................

Brief overview of placement:

	AM (08.00 – 12.30)	PM (13.30 – 17.30)	Notes
Monday	Meet Dr A at 9.30, discuss work of specialty Plan for week Induction to department Tour of ward / catheter lab Meet consultants and trainees Catheter Lab with Dr B Inpatient list Ward visit for pre-assessment Preparing the environment Communication skills
Tuesday	Outpatients with Dr C Long term follow up Links with GP Cardiac rehab clinic with Nurse Consultant
Wednesday	Ward round with Dr C Prescribing for cardiology patients Management of acute admissions Coronary Care Unit with Dr A Care of the acutely ill patient		Department teaching for trainees at lunchtime
Thursday	Outpatient clinic with Dr A	On call with Dr F until 21.00 Emergency admissions	Long day shift – end at 21.00 after handover to night shift.
Friday	Research with Dr B Role of academic medicine Explore future developments in the specialty Attend simulator session with trainees Review meeting with Dr A Discuss the week and career planning		Complete evaluation and hand in. Reflective entry in portfolio.

 

Appendix 2

Trust Contacts

NORTHERN DEVON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST	David Preston	david.preston2@nhs.net
ROYAL CORNWALL HOSPITALS TRUST	Katherine Martin	katherine.martin9@nhs.net
ROYAL DEVON & EXETER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST	Louise Downes	louise.downes3@nhs.net
TORBAY & SOUTH DEVON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST	Mandy Turner	amanda.turner1@nhs.net
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH NHS TRUST	Kate Talmage	kate.talmage@nhs.net

This page was last updated July 24th 2019 (3 years ago)