Experiences of a new training programme for final-year medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Article Figures & Data

Box 1.

Questions asked in the end of placement questionnaire

What was your motivation for becoming a medical support worker (MSW)?
What made you choose to apply for a role at the Whittington?
What were you expecting to do as part of your role?
Did you feel that the induction prepared you for your role?
What best describes the team you have been a part of?
Do you know who your direct clinical supervisor is? (Y/N) If Y, were they supportive to your needs?
What were your roles within your team?
Do you feel that you received enough pastoral/emotional support during the placement?
What have been the best parts of being an MSW?
What have been the biggest challenges of being an MSW?
Would you recommend a younger year student to apply for an MSW role if it runs again?
Has the MSW programme made you think differently about how medical students carry out their clinical placements? Please detail.
Do you think your experience as an MSW has prepared you for being an FY doctor?
How do you think your experience will influence you in your career as a doctor?
What were your overall thoughts about the MSW programme?
What did you think of the formal teaching programme?
What did you think of the feedback sessions?
What did you think of the pastoral care and who provided it?

Table 1.

Illustrative quotations for ‘Giving’ theme

Subtheme	Quotation
Moral duty	‘I felt like I had to do something to help in the middle of a crisis. I felt like I couldn't sit at home with skills that could be used to help’ ‘I wanted to help and be useful during the COVID pandemic’
Assisting allied health professionals	‘Varied role – started off helping wherever needed: jobs rounds, bloods, feeding etc. Did some 1:1 nursing with patients at the end of their life’
Free time	‘I didn't want to sit at home twiddling my thumbs’
Separation from family	‘Being separated from family when we suffered a bereavement of our own’
Patient and family support	‘Knowing that these patients were separated from family and being the person sat by the bedside holding their hand in their last moments’

Table 2.

Illustrative quotations for ‘Taking’ theme

Subtheme	Quotation
Patient perspective	‘Being able to be a proper doctor, see patients and have great clinical experience in A&E’
Financial payment	‘Wanted to keep busy and earn money during lockdown’
Clinical experience	‘I've had opportunities unavailable to most of my peers. I have had the ability to progress in a supportive and friendly environment’
Allied health professional experience	‘Learning about the different roles of the healthcare team’
Compassion	‘I truly feel I have grown as a person’
Clinical/pastoral support	‘My highlight was probably meeting my team and bonding with them so much – I didn't expect to come away from this having made such firm friends’
End of life care	‘I've gained a unique perspective on the importance of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and on death and how to care for patients at the end of their lives’
FY1 confidence	‘Getting comfortable with life as a doctor which will help enormously for starting in August’
COVID anxiety	‘Nice to start work with friends from uni during such a strange time’

Table 3.

Illustrative quotations for ‘Belonging’ theme

Subtheme	Quotation
Sense of value	‘It's been a real privilege to be part of the COVID response and to feel valued by the team. Everyone has been so caring, friendly and supportive. It's been the perfect start to my medical career and I will always treasure my memories of being an a medical support worker at the Whit’
Sense of purpose	‘I felt like I had contributed to a crisis in the best way that I could and I can leave feeling proud of myself’
Team	‘They were all so welcoming and made us really feel part of the team. They never made us feel inferior but were equally so good at knowing when we would need an extra hand/support. Thanks so much!!’ ‘My highlight was probably meeting my team and bonding with them so much – I didn't expect to come away from this having made such firm friends’