Medical student

We offer opportunities for students to learn both elective and emergency lower GI surgical conditions.

During the time in the Colorectal Unit, students are expected to gain experience in a broad range of emergency and elective lower GI surgery. In addition to understanding the diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of lower GI conditions, the students should also gain generic skills in managing the acutely unwell patient.

Meetings

There are a number of meetings throughout the week including the Combined Medical/Surgical Gastroenterology meeting, Radiology meeting, Unit meeting, Grand Rounds and Multidisciplinary Colorectal Cancer Meeting. These are listed on the weekly timetable, which will be provided to each student at the start of his or her attachment.

Formal Teaching

Students will be taught formally and informally in the sessions described in the weekly program. Formal sessions will focus on clinical case scenarios, history-taking, clinical examination and clinical management.

Opportunity for Informal Teaching

It is expected that students will spend as much time as possible on the wards gaining exposure to patients and being involved in clinical work such that they come into contact with Training Grade and Senior Medical Staff. This is particularly true of clinics where there is considerable opportunity to gain experience in management of a substantial breadth and depth of colorectal surgical conditions. The students should make every effort to attend the clinics in their respective team to which they are attached. The clinic times are given in the weekly schedule. It is not anticipated that students should spend long periods in operating theatres simply to observe operations. The day bed ward, minor operations list and short stay ward (ward 22) also provide valuable learning opportunities.

Summary

We hope that you will enjoy your stay in the Colorectal Surgical Unit of the Western General Hospital. It is a friendly, active and outgoing unit and there is ample opportunity for students to gain considerable experience and exposure to a wide range of surgical disease. There is the potential to gain a breadth as well as depth of surgical experience and you will have opportunities to see many rare and unusual conditions as well as a very high throughput of much more common surgical disease.