NHS North Bristol plans to use video recording to train junior doctors in consultation skills

Health Education England (HEE), the new body in charge of medical training and education, has launched Better training, better care (BTBC) - a programme to fund 16 training and education pilots for trainee doctors, run by foundation trusts.

Nearly 100 trusts applied for part of the £1m funding. The winners were selected on the sustainability of their ideas and the ability for their ideas to be adopted across the country, the DH said.

The pilots range from telemedicine initiatives and rota changes, to simulation environments and digital devices for handovers.

One trust, NHS North Bristol, plans to use video recording to train junior doctors in consultation skills. Since recording consultations is a technique already widely used in general practice, a GP trainer will take part in the pilot. They will assist in the recording, as well as holding a feedback session with the trainee.  

Head of the BTBC programme Patrick Mitchell said: ‘We wanted to fund projects that, once successful, can be implemented in trusts across England and beyond. Some of the projects have been up and running now for four months and we’re receiving great feedback so far.’