Leeds Institute of Medical Education Student wellbeing and support: considering your options. Dr Martin McAreavey Director of Student Support Ms Stephanie Bradley, Student Support Co-ordinator and Disability Contact

Aim of today To explore utilising a hypothetical student case how you might respond to a variety of student issues.

SoM vision of Student Support Developmental Supportive Relationship

General Medical Council (2009) p16 and 17 It is important that medical students have opportunities to seek support for any matter before it becomes a fitness to practise concern. Medical schools should ensure that the procedures for addressing concerns are clearly outlined to medical students, student support services, and occupational health where appropriate. Students should be directed to the appropriate support services within the faculty or university. These support services may include student health services, disability advisers, occupational health services, confidential counselling, student groups, and personal tutors. Anyone who provides pastoral care for a student should not be involved in investigating or making decisions that could affect the student's career, even though personal tutors will often need to raise the initial concern.

Levels of Support for MB ChB students

Academic Sub-Deans 2014/15 YearName 1Dr Phil Burns 2Dr Michael Routledge 3Dr Caroline Wilson 4Mr Dermot Burke 5Dr Graham Woodrow IntercalatedDr Karen Lee

Dealing with concerns about students (GMC 2009)

Student case Andrew, aged 28, is in his 4 th year of his medical studies. He has contacted you as his tutor asking if he could organise a time to meet with you to discuss a number of personal and academic issues. You arrange a time to meet. In the interim period you review Andrew’s progress which appeared good until the middle of Year 3 when his academic performance began to tail off and a number of absences from teaching were noted.

Student case (cont.) On meeting Andrew he highlights to you that Medicine is his second degree and that he has been working part-time to support his studies. He also mentions to you that over the last two years he has been suffering from low mood and has been seeing a counsellor having been referred by his GP. Andrew is concerned given the pressure he is under that he may not be able to complete his 4 th year of studies, this traditionally one of the more difficult years of the Leeds Medical degree. On further exploration Andrew advises you that he lives alone in a private flat and that he has recently had a family bereavement. Andrew’s final Year 4 exams are 3 months away. What are the issues that Andrew is facing? Is there anything else you might like to explore with Andrew? How might you counsel Andrew regarding next steps?

Dealing with a presenting problem

Hays R, Lawson M, Gray C Medical Teacher : ‘Boiling down the problem’

Disability Equality Act 2010 – chronic condition 12 months or more Reasonable adjustments (including on placements!) MB ChB Disability Officer – Ms Stephanie Bradley / Ms Stephanie Briggs University Disabled Students’ Assessment and Support uk.org/education/undergraduate/gateways_guidance.a sphttp:// uk.org/education/undergraduate/gateways_guidance.a sp

Mental Health Issues A common issue (depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse) Many come under Equality Act 2010 The student counselling centre The student mental health team Recognise common symptoms – but don’t be inclined to treat! Occupational Health uk.org/education/undergraduate/23289.asp uk.org/education/undergraduate/23289.asp

Student Support team considerations Is the student fit to study? Would the student be fit to study if ‘reasonable’ adjustments were introduced? Are we uncertain whether the student is fit to study or not? The student is not fit for study. What next? Safety netting

Seeking further advice Who might you contact? Some issues Confidentiality Concerns about student or patient safety The school, through the Academic Sub-Deans can refer students’ to Occupational Health if there are concerns about fitness to study / fitness to practise.

Student Support Conference 10 th and 11 th Dec 2015 See flyer!

Any questions?