GUIDANCE ON THE PROVISION OF TASTERS FOR FOUNDATION DOCTORS PENINSULA FOUNDATION SCHOOL
Principles
- The primary purpose of tasters is for trainees to explore career alternatives in a specialty they will not experience in their foundation programme.
- Tasters should be advertised to F1s during shadowing and induction and throughout their F1 year.
- 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.
- It is not expected that under ordinary circumstances there will be any charges made by departments for tasters.
Planning
- Tasters will usually be at least two days and no more than five days in duration.
- 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.
- Trainees may request to complete a taster in a nearby hospital if the specialty is not available in their trust.
- Each taster should be discussed in advance of the placement to enable the foundation doctor to communicate their aims and objectives.
- 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
- 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 |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
|
Department teaching for trainees at lunchtime |
|
Thursday |
|
Long day shift – end at 21.00 after handover to night shift. |
|
Friday |
|
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 |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
|
Department teaching for trainees at lunchtime |
|
Thursday |
|
|
Long day shift – end at 21.00 after handover to night shift. |
Friday |
|
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 |