Seeing Patients
Doctors learn to make diagnoses and to plan management by seeing patients. There is no substitute for this. So, over their 4 weeks, the students will be expected increasingly to see patients on their own. They will also do joint surgeries with the GP. Some of their consultations will be three-way affairs but sometimes the GP will just observe. These may be consultations where the student is being assessed.
Consent
You will be informed at reception that a student is seeing patients. If you do not wish to see the student, or have the student sitting in on your consultation with the GP or nurse, that is your right. Please tell the receptionist and you will just see the GP or nurse in the usual way.
Prescribing and Referrals
The students are not allowed to prescribe but they will be expected to do everything right up to signing the prescription. Any prescriptions they recommend will be checked and agreed by your GP. The same goes for referrals and investigations. The responsibility for your care remains with your GP.
Feedback
If you have comments about the students, good or bad, please tell us - we have to write a report on their performance for the university.