Medical Students at UCLH

University College London Hospitals are teaching hospitals as we teach medical students to become doctors. This page will tell you about your rights in our hospitals concerning these students.

Teaching tomorrow’s doctors…

Almost 2000 students study medicine at the UCL Medical School. Every day around 200 of them are at the UCLH (ranging from year 1 students shadowing to final year students), talking to and examining patients, observing in the operating theatre and X-ray suites and learning by apprenticeship. It is very likely that you will meet these young people whose teachers are the doctors, nurses and other professionals who care for you.

How do students learn?

Learning and teaching are the tools that enable us to achieve excellence. Students learn best by interviewing and talking to you as part of our everyday work at the UCLH. By meeting with you they are learning much about interacting with people, and gaining knowledge not easily obtained from textbooks. Students will meet patients on wards and in the outpatient departments. They may also be present as observers when you have tests, or procedures or operations. These activities enrich and underpin all the caring, promotion of good health, and research that we do at the UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.

How can I identify students?

The students have ID badges and these should be visible to you. Students should always be introduced to you, or introduce themselves, and ask your permission for any interaction on the wards or in the clinics.

What if I don’t want students present?

You are always free to refuse to have medical students present. This will not affect your care in any way.

It is also your right if you are a woman approached by a male student who asks to examine you, to request the presence of a female nurse, doctor or student as a chaperone.

Confidentiality

Students are bound by the professional duty of confidentiality. They are expected to pass relevant personal information that you give them to the responsible doctor, but no further. If you want to talk to a student in confidence you are welcome to do so but please understand that the student is normally expected to pass on information relevant to your treatment.

Patient care

Students are taught that dignity is a top priority in caring for people and should treat you with respect. If you have any concerns regarding students and your care, please speak to the nurse in charge, the senior doctor or Dr Gavin Johnson.

Consent for examination under anaesthetic

Students begin to learn some skills in examining patients using dummies or models but they must also examine real patients. If there is the possibility of this taking place during an examination under anaesthetic (for example, a vaginal or rectal examination), we will ask for your permission, and the examination will be strictly supervised by your doctor or nurse.

Such an examination is not permitted under any other circumstances. You will be approached by the student who will explain what is involved and, if you agree, you will be asked to sign a form naming the student receiving your permission. There is no pressure upon you to agree; you can refuse and this will not affect your care in any way.

Medical students are not allowed to act as a chaperone whilst you are undergoing an intimate examination by your doctor or nurse.

The students and their teachers are grateful for your contribution to their learning.

Contact details

Dr Gavin Johnson MSc MD FRCP

Consultant Gastroenterologist, Director of Undergraduate Education UCLH, Associate Professor of Medical Education UCL

Telephone: 020 3447 9229

Address: 4th Floor East, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PB