[Learning clinical skills]

The purpose of this study was to analyse the learning environment of medical students in a medical ward and on the basis of this study to make specific suggestions as to how the students' clinical stay in a ward can be optimized. These suggestions were implemented and the effect evaluated.

This is a qualitative study. Through observations and interviews with students and staff in the ward the learning environment was analysed. After that an evaluation of the implemented project was carried out in a questionnaire to the ward and in interviews with the persons involved in the project.

The result of the study concerning analysis and improvement of the students' stay can briefly be summarized as follows: The students' position in the unit can be characterized as that of an observer rather than as an active working participant in the ward. With this there is a risk that the medical student's trainee stay in a ward will turn into a "work-experience placement", the primary purpose of which will be for the medical student just to dip into the profession. This has consequences for the students' learning process in securing that the students acquire the necessary practical qualifications and acquire essential personal qualifications, such as self-dependence and abilities in decision-making and working under pressure.

The study shows that doctors and students agree on the aim of the students' trainee stay: To involve the students in a working partnership in order to obtain the best learning experience. The study concludes that it is difficult to change well-established routines despite good intentions of all parties involved. Therefore, the study rises the question on how new routines are established in the educational culture of medicine.