Effective bedside teaching

Table of Contents

1. Effective bedside teaching of clinical diagnosis by using case-presentations
2. Introduction
3. The setting
4. The teaching
5. Quiz
6. Further reading
7. Further Information

The setting

• Select a patient appropriate to the level of training of the learner. A third year student will not have the clinical knowledge of a final year student but should have an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology.
• Obtain the patient's consent before asking the student to take a history and perform a physical examination.
• If possible, try to have the case-presentation and teaching away from bedside so that the patient cannot hear what is being discussed. If this is not possible, explain to the patient what will happen, especially that the student may be suggesting possible diagnoses that they do not have - and are unlikely to have. Careful attention to this aspect can avoid embarrassing moments!!

University of Leeds, School of Medicine

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