Foundation Programme Question Ideas 2009

1. Foundation Programme Question Ideas 2009/10 Laura Brammar Medical Careers Adviser UCL Careers Service

3. Question 1 Publications, qualifications prizes etc. Much more specific about which qualifications and publications are accepted. Most will score between 3-6 points depending on how well you did in your IBSc/previous degree.

4. Question 2 Describe a case from your clinical experience that you have observed in the first 24 hours from hospital admission. How did members of different professional teams interact and how did this contribute to effective patient care? What did you learn from this that will influence your future practice as a new doctor? Different?

5. They are very similar if you look carefully� Describe a case from your clinical experience that you have observed in the first 24 hours from hospital admission. How did members of different professional teams interact and how did this contribute to effective patient care? What did you learn from this that will influence your future practice as a new doctor? Describe one example from your own clinical experience that has increased your understanding of the importance of team working. What was your role and contribution to the team? What have you learned and how will you apply this to your foundation training.

6. Question 2 Team working question Definitely needs to be clinical situation First brainstorm the various members of MDT and their actual roles in relation to patient care Second brainstorm the various �ingredients� of good patient care Third reflect on the particular clinical situation you remember Compare your ideas with Good Medical Practice teamworking section�

7. Good Medical Practice (2006) Working with colleagues Working in teams � paragraphs 41-42 Most doctors work in teams with colleagues from other professions. Working in teams does not change your personal accountability for your professional conduct and the care you provide. When working in a team, you should act as a positive role model and try to motivate and inspire your colleagues. You must: respect the skills and contributions of your colleagues communicate effectively with colleagues within and outside the team make sure that your patients and colleagues understand your role and responsibilities in the team, and who is responsible for each aspect of patient care participate in regular reviews and audit of the standards and performance of the team, taking steps to remedy any deficiencies support colleagues who have problems with performance, conduct or health.

8. Tomorrow�s Doctors Learn and work effectively within a multi-professional team. (a) Understand and respect the roles and expertise of health and social care professionals in the context of working and learning as a multi-professional team. (b) Understand the contribution that effective interdisciplinary teamworking makes to the delivery of safe and high-quality care. (c) Work with colleagues in ways that best serve the interests of patients, passing on information and handing over care, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability and a problem-solving approach. (d) Demonstrate ability to build team capacity and positive working relationships and undertake various team roles including leadership and the ability to accept leadership by others.

9. Question 3 Describe a memorable experience of being taught and how this has shaped your thinking about teaching. Identify a particular situation in which you might be teaching as a doctor in the future. Describe how you might apply what you have learned to maximise the effectiveness of your teaching?

10. Question 3 New question on teaching BUT has always been on person specification � key skill for doctors Again, refer to GMP lots of ideas Memorable experience of teaching doesn�t necessarily have to be clinical, but you need to apply to your development as a doctor First, brainstorm �components� of a good teaching experience Second, review all the times doctors have opportunities to teach others, both formally and informally Third, reflect back on a specific memorable experience of teaching Fourth, ouline how you might apply what you have learnt about teaching to improve your own effectiveness, rather than what you were taught.

11. Question 4 You are one of two foundation doctors on a ward round. The registrar identifies a minor error made by your colleague and makes inappropriate critical comments in front of the patient and the healthcare team. Your colleague is visibly distressed. What actions would you take and how would you prioritise these? What actions do you believe your colleague should take in relation to these comments? How might you address a minor error made by a more junior colleague in the future?

12. Question 4 Professional Behaviour one Different style of question � scenario rather than competency based Scenario is helpful in allowing you to focus on the key issue at hand Look at GMP section on �respect for colleagues� for ideas � e.g. speak in private rather than in front of others Key bit of info is �how would you prioritise� (also a key skill of the person specification) Remain �patient-centred� � take a �360� approach to how this incident might affect patient, relatives, MDT, juniors, registrar etc. Brainstorm what you might do � e.g. reassure colleague, ask the registrar why they felt that was the best approach, inform and reassure patient Next brainstorm what action your colleague should take � empathise with their situation Finally, project how you might deal with juniors in the future � importance of putting patient care first despite awkwardness etc.

13. Question 5 Describe one example from your medical training when you received feedback on an aspect of your performance. Explain how that feedback altered your subsequent practice. How will you use this experience to develop a specific aspect of your foundation training?

14. Question 5 Despite looking new � this is a Learning question in disguise Foundation Programme curriculum will be helpful with this question Question does not specify that feedback is received from senior medics only; could be patients, relatives, peers, MDT, nurses, seniors Could be formal or informal feedback Need to make explicit what you understand by the word �aspect� � could be a technical skill, a �softer skill�, etc Outline how that feedback changed/altered your subsequent practice � could be positive OR negative feedback �This experience� � reflect on what that refers to in last part of question

15. Question 6 At times, the patient and the medical team have different ideas on the management of the patient�s illness, because of personal, social or cultural views held by the patient. Describe a clinical case where you have observed this. Identify the factors that contributed to these differing views. Why is it important to understand these differences in your practice as a foundation doctor?

16. Question 6 Despite looking new taps into broader issues of the �context� of patients touched on in previous care pathways question �Dr/Patient Partnership� section of GMP would be helpful here Needs to be a clinical example. Brainstorm examples of personal/social/cultural views which may affect patient�s view on management of illness e.g. disruption of personal life, family commitments, faith, preconceptions Reflect on the factors that lead to the view of the Doctors, e.g. evidence based medicine, empirical studies, patient�s histories. Generate some reasons why understanding these differences are important; These may include: need for a holistic view of the patient, improved chances of successful negotiation with patients, improve patient�s commitment to their care plan and future clinical decision making.

17. Additional Support � if needed Use GMP, Foundation Programme Curriculum to help you draft your answers Read FP Applicant�s Handbook carefully � lots of information Use �Foundation Programme Application Questions 2010 � a few ideas� handout � also on www.ucl.ac.uk/medicalschool/careers website Want feedback on ONE question you are struggling with - Some 1:1 slots still available � call 020 7866 3600. Triple check for spelling/punctuation/grammar before submitting

18. BEST OF LUCK! Have confidence in your abilities. Prepare thoroughly and submit in good time Good luck!