Long Sands Café, Tynemouth Beach

Minute of meeting of Brad’s Group NVTS, 2004-09-15,

Long Sands Café, Tynemouth Beach

Tynemouth

1030-12pm

Present

Naomi (Chair), Jonathan, Pete, Kavya, Lara, Stacey, Liam, Ruth, Isy, Ben, Hannah and Viv (minutes)

Apologies

Brad and Joanna

Agenda

1                    Isy and Andrews’ wedding

2                    Feedback from the ‘Communication Skills Course’

3                    Agenda for next week

4                    Any other matters arising

1          Isy and Andrews’ wedding

This went very smoothly, the weather was sunny and the happy couple had a fantastic time.   The day, however, went too quickly and Isy found the whole experience very surreal.  Everyone had a good time.  The honeymoon spent touring Italy was very relaxing despite Isy’s navigational skills in Florence and the four hour delay on the return flight home.  When the photos are ready, Isy is going to show these at a future Wednesday meeting.  As expected Isy is finding it difficult back in the real world of GP land.

2          Communication Skills Course

Overall we all found that this was an incredibly useful learning and social experience.  We enjoyed the 2 days, felt brad is an excellent leader who brings out the best in us as individuals and as a group.  We all feel we have bonded and look forward to what the next four months brings us.  As a direct result of the course, we all feel that our consultation skills have improved and we practice what we have learnt on a daily basis (successfully and unsuccessfully).

What we found especially rewarding and useful:

• Video work (dissecting and limited role playing)
• Sitting on the grass learning and relaxing
• Social interaction (including the Tuesday night out)
• Increasing self awareness
• The structure of the two days with a variety of teaching and learning methods and styles which prevented boredom and lethargy

What we would have preferred:

• It would have been useful to have viewed more videos
• Less time spent on role playing as some found this terrifying and intimidating
• The laughter club (enough said)
• Casa Antonio (an experiment which shouldn’t be repeated)
• The handout and PowerPoint presentation –both were surplus to requirements, one would have been enough
• Less time spent on secondary feedback

We also all appreciated the time and effort put into the 2 days by yourself and also the fact you came to the meal on the Tuesday especially as you live so far away.  We hoped this feedback would be useful when it comes to preparing the communications course for your next group.

3          Agenda for next week

• Teaching/Knowledge base – UTIs in adults (Viv) and kids (Lara)
• Further video viewing with or without role playing (Liam and Jonathan)
• Brads Agenda

Stacey will be providing the cake

4          Other matters arising

• Process stops- Although important, we felt we would like less emphasis placed upon them as occasionally, it does interrupt the flow of the group
• Owning statements
• We feel it would be useful to have regular problem case analysis and video consultations
• We would like to discuss ‘The Home Visit’ at some point
• How does one remain objective to the patient and or disease