Our main aim was to find opportunities to integrate medical students within the MDT. Medical students had told us they sometimes felt like a “spare part” on placement and not part of the team. Although the MDT recognised the importance of integrating medical students, it was often challenging due to the busy nature of the job and stretched resources.

Uniting all members of staff at this event helped students understand the challenge and consider solutions to build more coalition. It also gave members of the MDT the chance to interact with students, understand their perspective and get behind the suggested initiatives. By involving both groups - medical students and the MDT - the initiative was set-up for success from the start with a shared purpose and ambition from the participants.

The session was extremely well received, with excellent and positive feedback from across the MDT. The feedback from the medical students was particularly glowing, with many students asking “Why is this session not used in more departments in the hospital or on more occasions throughout medical school?” Additional comments from the MDT included: “Such a fantastic example of how a department should be and the kind of positive environment every department should strive for”.

Introducing InteGreat

As a result, we focused on medical student integration through the initiative – InteGreat! This is an acronym which encourages students to introduce themselves to the team, ask questions and take part in teamwork with the MDT.

Positive placements for medical students

Positive placements ad 1

Mumtaz Mooncey

Positive placements for medical students