Employment of medical and physician associate students in an NHS trust during the COVID-19 pandemic

Katie Maas; Marian Wassef; Milind Kulkarni; Lesley Bowker

doi:10.7861/fhj.2020-0174

Employment of medical and physician associate students in an NHS trust during the COVID-19 pandemic

Future Healthc J. 2021 Mar;8(1):e146-e149. doi: 10.7861/fhj.2020-0174.

Authors

Katie Maas¹, Marian Wassef², Milind Kulkarni³, Lesley Bowker⁴

Affiliations

¹ Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK.
² Scarborough General Hospital, Scarborough, UK.
³ Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK.
⁴ Norwich Medical School, Norwich, UK and consultant in older people's medicine, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK.

Abstract

We present a model of employment of healthcare professional students successfully used during the COVID-19 pandemic to support and increase the local workforce. Following recruitment, students from multiple year groups, with varying experience, were deployed to many areas within the trust. The model used allowed overseeing staff to re-deploy students as required in response to changing demand. We received positive feedback from staff and students throughout and present the analysis of a student survey performed towards the end of their roles. We hope the model provides vital insight and an example for other trusts should future need arise during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Keywords: COVID-19; employment; medical student; pandemic; physician associate student.

Publication types

Case Reports