Make induction day more effective - add a few problems

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professional Training

Background:

• Induction courses are crucial for introducing Pre-Registration House Officers (PRHOs) to new work environments.
• Traditional methods include lectures, group discussions, and demonstrations, facilitating interdisciplinary interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of paper-based patient management problems (PMPs) as an interactive component of induction.
• To refine the induction program to encourage immediate use of hospital resources by PRHOs.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated two print-based PMPs detailing case histories and tasks mirroring junior doctor responsibilities.
• Provided support from healthcare team members, laboratory staff, and clinical information displays.

Main Results:

• The PMP component was highly rated by participants in post-course evaluations.
• PMPs effectively stimulated PRHOs to engage with hospital staff and resources.

Conclusions:

• Patient management problems offer a valuable learning experience for junior doctors during induction.
• PMPs are a beneficial addition to induction programs and have potential for broader use in undergraduate and postgraduate settings.