Enhancing the inpatient ward learning environment: A practical guide.

ABSTRACT

Inpatient ward placements are rich with practical learning opportunities for medical students; however, many such opportunities go overlooked and underused. Newly qualified doctors often feel underprepared for work on wards; improving student experience on ward placements can address this. Although this requires an active effort from both students and clinical educators, it is not arduous and has mutual benefit improving medical education while simultaneously reducing staff workload. Here, we present a guide for both teachers and students highlighting three key areas of ward learning that may be improved strategies to drive active learning, integration of students into the ward team and underutilised resources to develop a patient-centred approach.