The UK Clinical Experience for SGU Students: What to Know

SGU clinical students at North Middlesex University Hospital.

From its iconic castles and royal legacy to lively pubs and passionate football (soccer) culture, the United Kingdom is an excellent backdrop for St. George’s University medical students to hone their clinical skills, while experiencing healthcare in a new setting.

SGU has a storied history with the UK. SGU students first began doing clinical training in UK hospitals in 1979. From there, the University’s connection to the country continued to expand.

Basic Sciences Years: SGU has a longstanding collaboration with Northumbria University (NU). Under the St. George’s University of Grenada School of Medicine/Northumbria University Four-Year MD Program, med students can complete their first year of med school in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where NU is located.
Clinical Years: Once SGU School of Medicine students complete their basic sciences requirements, they can opt to go to the UK for some or possibly all their clinical rotations. Students are offered clinical training at 14 clinical sites located in the UK. SGU has more than 85 affiliated hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

SGU News spoke with David Stoker, MD, FRCS, FRCS (Ed), the School of Medicine’s associate dean of clinical studies in the UK. Mr. Stoker is a consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeon and has been teaching SGU students since 1993. In his current role, he oversees SGU’s UK clinical studies program, ensuring that these students receive the clinical training and support they need as med students. Here’s what he had to say about SGU’s UK clinical training opportunities:

David Stoker, MD, FRCS, FRCS (Ed), the School of Medicine’s associate dean of clinical studies, UK

SGU: What makes clinical training in the UK a valuable part of students’ medical education?

Mr. Stoker: Students who come to the UK will be able to learn medicine and enhance their knowledge of other cultures, which will ultimately enrich their medical careers. Medical schools’ curricula are increasingly focusing on culture and ethnicity to produce doctors who are adequately trained for the global world in which we now live. SGU has shown a steady commitment to this approach throughout the years.

In addition, students who come to the UK appreciate the smaller student groups (often two to four per core rotation in each hospital). Students will be able to interact with patients daily and will have easy access to preceptors and junior doctors.

SGU: What is unique about the UK healthcare system?

Mr. Stoker: Students will be able to participate in the UK’s National Health Service, which since its inception in 1948, has provided healthcare to all patients free at the point of delivery.

SGU: Is the UK clinical training setting only for international students or do US students have the option to go there too?

Mr. Stoker: We have a fair number of US students coming over, so not just international students. It is good for US students to experience another healthcare system in their fourth year.

SGU: Is the curriculum any different in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: The curriculum is identical to the curriculum found in the US. We emphasize outpatient clinical teaching, ward rounds and theatre time, as well as significant study time.

Students give regular clinical presentations, with close attention being paid to the art of taking a focused history and the learning of patient-centred communication skills. This stresses the importance we place on the humanistic and empathetic aspects of medicine. Given the importance of the end of core NBME exams, which all students must pass to graduate, we also emphasize teaching clinical knowledge, along with physical examination skills, thereby building on the clinical skills learned in Grenada.

SGU: How many SGU clinical faculty are in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: We have about 170 consultants (a title that is equivalent to attending physician in the US). They are all keen teachers, and most have been involved with SGU for 10, 20, or even 30 years (me!).

SGU: What is the top question students usually ask about the UK clinical program?

Mr. Stoker: The most common question we get is: How will this affect my application for US residency? The answer is, for the most part, it should not. We do recommend that you get exposure to your preferred specialty during your fourth year by choosing it as an elective in the US.

SGU: What happens after you complete clinicals in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: There are many options open to SGU students depending on which country they decide to work in. Many students apply for the US Match and succeed, while other students go on to practice elsewhere. Some stay in the UK and take the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, which is equivalent to the USMLE, then continue in the UK for advanced training.

SGU: What support systems are in place for students in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: Academic support is available to all students, supervised by UK associate and assistant deans, associate chairs, and hospital directors of medical education and their teams. Our administrative head office is in Winchester, and we have fully trained staff who will advise you about your placements and accommodation and will answer any other queries you might have.

In addition, all SGU students arriving in the UK are encouraged to attend the “Introduction to Clinical Practice & NBME Workshop.” This workshop is a valuable introduction to each core specialty and addresses the all-important NBME exams, emphasizing how to practice for, and pass the exam.

SGU: Are there plans to add more sites in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: We are actively looking to increase the number of sites in the medium to long term.

SGU: Is there time for students to travel while in the UK?

Mr. Stoker: Yes! We encourage travel while acknowledging that there is limited time to do so. However, the UK is an amazing place to visit with its ancient heritage, art, architecture, music, theater, countryside, and many colorful English pubs. Outside of your studies there are plenty of extracurricular activities. Our airports and ports give rapid access to the many countries of Europe, all within easy reach.

SGU: You have been with SGU for 30+ years, why do you love working with students?

Mr. Stoker: I regard teaching med students as essential work—to educate the next generation of doctors, and to pass on my enthusiasm for the field through teaching and the rewards of clinical practice.

— Laurie Chartorynsky