News from Imperial: LKCMedicine Students Spend 6 Weeks In London For Elective Placements 

By Dr Hamsa Cabdi Aden, Clinical Teaching Fellow, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Imperial College London recently had the privilege of welcoming 31 final-year medical school students from LKCMedicine for their six-week long elective programme. The students were placed across various medical and surgical specialities at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and participated in varied educational activities including tutorials, simulation, and case presentations.

The students began their elective on 27 August 2024 and were welcomed to the Trust by the Director of Clinical Studies and the Academic Lead for the programme, Dr Brent Bartholomew, with an induction at Imperial’s South Kensington campus. This was then closely followed by a local induction at their respective hospitals, comprising of a brief tour as well as some reporting instructions for their first day on site. Student also had the opportunity to interact with Dr Hamsa Cabdi Aden, Clinical Teaching Fellow at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

The students were quick to settle in and were able to integrate themselves in a seamless manner into their respective departments; with some students donning a pair of blue scrubs and attending theatres on their very first day!

Halfway through the elective, the students participated in a medical simulation day, where they were tasked with challenging medical scenarios. The students found themselves approached with an array of difficult stations; from discussing palliation and supportive care to performing resuscitation and advanced life support on a resuscitation manikin. The feedback from the sessions was astoundingly positive with all the students wanting to participate in further simulation sessions. 

Many consultants and staff members were all praises for LKCMedicine students for their studious approach and enthusiastic attitude to learning.

Dr Jasmine Chevolleau, Clinical Teaching Fellow at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital remarked at the student’s enthusiasm: “The LKCMedicine students were not only a pleasure to teach but they were also an honour to have around Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and I’m certain their presence will be missed”.

Their hard work was rewarded with a ‘leavers ceremony’ which took place on the 2 October 2024, celebrating all that they had achieved by the end of their six-week placement. Students were invited to brunch at the Billard Room on the South Kensington campus, which also served as an opportunity to provide further feedback on their elective, as well as receive certificates and prizes.

Dr Emma Keeling, Associate Dean for Educational Partnerships was also in attendance and gave a speech thanking the students, fellows, and academic team on the success of this year’s programme. They were also reminded of their future status as Imperial Alumni and encouraged them to visit again in the future.