Finest teamwork is key to medical students' success

Staff at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are developing the way they work together, and it is happening thanks to a helping hand from the trust’s Faculty of Interprofessional Education and Staff Training (Finest).

Finest lead Helen Sutherland said: “The week-long pilot involved student doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists working alongside each other and being involved in a variety of activities on the ward, including shadowing staff members from other professions including pharmacists, dieticians, specialist nurses and consultants.”

There were “positive outcomes all round,” said Helen. It included students learning the importance of effective communication to clarify the needs of the patient.

Bosses say the exercise will help students to development into competent, qualified practitioners who work collaboratively.

Helen said staff not only got to share their own specialist knowledge - they also got a chance to reflect on their own practices and development.

“The outcome for patients was an increased opportunity to understand and contribute to the care they require and the potential for an improved planning and co-ordination between the professions involved.”

Overall, it was a “very successful week,” she added.