Four final year medical students from the Gambia were hosted in Swansea to undertake their 6 week medical elective during June/July 2010. A programme of clinical attachments was arranged by Claire Cowell, Undergraduate Supervisor. This was a busy schedule that involved observation of clinical practice in many different specialties within the ABMU Health Board.

The medical students also were involved in a weekly journal club led by Steve Allen. This involved critical analysis of current research and assessing how different types of research inform clinical practice.

Gambia students Uchenna, Aji-Binta, Sabina and Joy with Steve Allen and Claire Cowell.

Feedback from the visiting students:

“The thought of coming to a developed country for electives clouded our minds with so many questions. Will the weather be harsh to us? Will patients be welcoming? One thing which relieved us was the good experience previous Gambian students had in Swansea.

On arrival in Swansea, we were warmly welcomed. The staff of school of medicine, Singleton and Morriston hospitals and patients in was all welcoming and made us feel at home.

The consultations we attended various clinics were quiet impressive, especially doctor-patient relationship, team work and patient awareness. Although patient awareness about their conditions is good, it could be challenging to doctors. Most patients tend to review a lot of information from the internet which could mislead them and hence difficult to be convinced.

One of the things we found very useful was the journal club in which we critically appraise journals. It was challenging because we have little experience in reading journals, but it was interesting and has broaden our knowledge in research especially the statistical aspects.

We also had the opportunity to be in the clinical skills session where manikins are used for different clinical procedures. Students learn faster and with less stress using manikins as compared to learning from patients.

It was a great and wonderful experience.”