Dear all
I write on behalf of London Medicine, which represents the five medical schools in London, who are seeking to better understand the experiences of individuals from under-represented groups when they attend medical school. The phrase ‘under-represented groups’ can mean different things to different people, but you could consider yourself from this group if:
· You are the first in your family to attend university
· You are from a BAME background
· You are from an under-represented group not specified above
If you consider yourself to be part of this group, please read on to find out how you can participate in this research.
We now want to explore the experiences of students from under-represented backgrounds once they are at medical school. If you feel that you fit this criteria, i.e. you fall into one or more of the categories above, we would love to hear from you.
We will be holding focus group sessions throughout May 2019. If you would be happy to take part in one of these sessions, or alternatively in a 1:1 conversation/phonecall with myself or a colleague, please fill out your details in the grid below and send your reply to me at Nicola.berkley@londonhigher.ac.uk . Refreshments will be provided and we will reimburse your travel expenses. Also, as a thank you for your time you will be given a £25 Amazon voucher following your attendance.
Name
University
Course of study
Your current year of study
Briefly state how you fit the criteria for this project e.g. first in family to attend HE, BAME background, member of under-represented group
Email address
Session, Venue, Availability (delete as applicable)
3-4pm, 15 May London Higher, BMA House, WC1H 9JJ Yes / No
3-4pm, 22 May London Higher, BMA House, WC1H 9JJ Yes / No
3-4pm, 29 May St George’s Medical School, SW17 0RE Yes / No
1:1 discussion or phone call Date and venue tbc Yes / No
Through carrying out this research we hope to find out more on the challenges facing different groups of students, to explore how medical schools could best meet the needs of all students, and to share best practice across London’s five medical schools. This will be a large-scale pan-London study, and any reports produced following the focus groups will be fully anonymized. These reports will then be shared with the members of London Medicine, including the Heads of London’s five medical schools, and the findings will be used to drive improvements across London.
London Medicine is a group that consists of the Heads of schools of medicine, dentistry and associated clinical academic institutions in London. We carry out work on the key issues that affect medical schools and their students, and our work includes aspects such as research, organising meetings/workshops and producing reports and policy papers. London Medicine is a division of a larger organisation called London Higher, which represents universities across London.
If you have already registered to take part in one of these focus groups please disregard this email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Nicola