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The Role of Patients in Surgical Education

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Surgical Education

Part of the book series: Advances in Medical Education ((AMEDUC,volume 2))

Abstract

Patients are (or should be) at the centre of surgical care. Therefore, it makes sense that patients have a central role in surgical education. In this chapter, we describe ways in which patients have participated and currently contribute to surgical education. We argue for raising the prominence of patients as critical learning resources. We start by outlining changes in service delivery; these inevitably have implications for education, since the practice of surgery has traditionally been learned in the workplace. Recent changes in surgical training are summarised. We explore patients’ experiences of healthcare services and how these may contribute to education. The role of real patients in medical and surgical education is reviewed, with outcomes articulated for patients, trainees and clinicians/educators. Finally, we outline the contributions of simulated patients (SPs). In doing this, we draw on different sources and our own work and put forward ideas about patient involvement in surgical education. Differences in education and healthcare services obviously make uniform conclusions challenging. We invite readers to reflect on this content relative to their own setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Education, Gippsland Medical School, School of Rural Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Debra Nestel

  2. Patient Liaison Group, Royal College of Surgeons, England, UK

    Lesley Bentley

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  1. Debra Nestel
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  2. Lesley Bentley
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Correspondence to Debra Nestel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Educational Development, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom

    Heather Fry

  2. St. Mary' Hospital London, Dept. Biosurgery & Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom

    Roger Kneebone

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Nestel, D., Bentley, L. (2011). The Role of Patients in Surgical Education. In: Fry, H., Kneebone, R. (eds) Surgical Education. Advances in Medical Education, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1682-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1682-7_9

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