Flashcards for foundation doctors

Ruth Hillier; Giles Dixon; Samantha Kestenbaum

doi:10.7861/futurehosp.3-2-s23

Aims

The foundation programme aims to provide junior doctors with a supportive and educational workplace to ensure the development of safe and proficient future practitioners. However, it is well-recognised that many new doctors find the first few months of their profession to be challenging, both clinically and emotionally. Nationally, a greater number of patient safety alerts are present during these initial months. It is apparent that the introduction of portable resources at foundation year 1 (FY1) induction should impact positively upon this phenomenon. This study aims to introduce a set of portable flashcards to FY1 doctors at induction in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, allowing for easy guideline reference, with the intention of improving doctor experience and patient safety.

Methods

A questionnaire was designed to determine FY1 thoughts on personal performance. Further qualitative feedback was gained through FY1 opinion on the proposed cards. Quantitative data will be collected to analysis the number of patient safety alerts relating to FY1’s pre- and post-card introduction.

Results

Preliminary results reveal that 85% of FY1s were supportive of flashcard implementation. 80% feel that patient safety will be improved and 92% believe that the flashcards will improve their confidence and wellbeing.

Conclusions

It is clear that the introduction of portable reference cards to FY1s is likely to impact positively on confidence and patient safety. Further research will be conducted to determine the effects post-card introduction. If positive results are gained, additional research will aim to discover whether these cards could be implemented nationally.