News from Imperial: 5th Annual LKCMedicine Elective Programme at Imperial

By Roxy Hughes, Collaborative Partnerships Officer, Imperial College London

Imperial College London hosted the fifth annual ‘LKCMedicine Elective Programme at Imperial’ from 29 August to 6 October 2023.

The group of 32 final-year LKCMedicine students had the opportunity to undertake two placements during the six-week programme. The placements took place in two of Imperial’s partner hospitals – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital.

On their first day, the LKCMedicine elective students attended an induction on Imperial’s main campus in South Kensington. The day included a welcome from the Head of School, induction talks and lunch with Imperial College School of Medicine Students’ Union (ICSMSU). The students are pictured below with students from ICSMSU. 

Academic Lead Dr Brent Bartholomew provided welfare support to the students throughout the programme. He organised the programme of placements for the students according to their preferences for specialties. This year’s specialties included acute medicine, A&E, neurology, and surgery. In addition to their time in the wards, the students were also offered the opportunity to undertake additional learning experiences with Dr Bartholomew.

He said, “We meticulously organised multiple teaching sessions exclusively designed for LKCMedicine students. These sessions revolved around acute medical and surgical simulations, conducted in small classroom settings, focusing on the acute management of common pathological problems. The sessions also included case presentations. To enhance the learning experience, we utilised cutting-edge technology like the Vital Realty Hololens, coupled with remote assistance. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to host the LKCMedicine students. It brings me immense pride to share that the consultant provided highly positive feedback on the students' performance.”

Undergraduate Medical Education Fellows Dr Kallpana Dhas and Dr Rebecca Murphy Lonergan, who are based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, also hosted the students. They expressed their pleasure in hosting the cohort of elective students from LKCMedicine and commended on the students’ capabilities.

 “They have proven themselves to be highly competent, diligent, and professional healthcare workers who strive for excellence with enthusiasm and good nature. We hope this has been an informative and enjoyable placement both in the NHS and in London. We wish them all the best for their future careers.”

During the feedback session at the end of the programme, the students reflected on the differences in healthcare between the UK and Singapore and what they had enjoyed most about their experiences.

Commenting on the programme, LKCMedicine student Leow Ee-J said, “It was a very enjoyable and hands-on experience. The team at West Middlesex Hospital were friendly and treated us like colleagues.”

“The Consultants and Teaching Fellows were eager to teach and very understanding. We were able to participate actively as part of the team and were also given opportunities to present our management plans,” said another LKCMedicine student Zhang Ludi.

The elective programme concluded with a presentation by Dr Dhas on the students’ time in London and a farewell reception at Imperial’s historic 58 Prince’s Gate building. The team has already begun preparations for next year and is looking forward to hosting another group of LKCMedicine students in summer 2024.