The PhD Intensive Clinical Experience (PhDICE)
Module description
The successful translation of basic scientific discoveries to advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
human disease requires talented biomedical scientists who, in addition to having knowledge of human biology and
disease, are also familiar with the culture and practice of medicine. Despite this, the majority of graduate students in
the biological sciences who are engaged in research on specific diseases have no experience of clinical medicine and
rarely, if ever, have an opportunity to meet patients who are affected by the diseases they are investigating. The PhD
Intensive Clinical Experience (PhDICE) provides a unique opportunity for non-clinical postgraduate research students
who are engaged in research on specific aspects of human health and disease to gain a deeper understanding of their
subject by meeting patients with varying conditions. Students participating in the PhDICE increase their understanding
of the translational aspects of their research. They are exposed to medical terminology and learn to communicate in
language that is more relevant and understandable to their clinical colleagues. In addition to gaining a better
understanding of the diseases they are studying, and of their impact on patients, students will be better able to
recognize clinically relevant scientific problems of medicine and to address these in their future research. Students are
therefore better prepared for communicating with patient groups, and for translating laboratory discoveries into new
medical treatments.
PhDICE delivery
We have devised a programme for PhDICE, which will take place over four 2.5 hour sessions, from 3pm – 5.30pm, on
the following dates:
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03/03/2016
10/03/2016
17/03/2016
24/03/2016
The sessions will take place in the Clinical Skills Centre, Sam Fox House, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. The
programme will avail of a local network of ‘Patients as Educators’, and will be delivered by Drs Denise Bee and Amir
Burney (Medical Education) and Mr Martin Hague, with the assistance of a team of volunteer tutors from amongst the
senior undergraduate on MBChB.
During the sessions, PGR students will:
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Meet with patients with various conditions in order to develop an understanding of how the underlying
pathology results in the patients’ symptoms and an appreciation of how patients feel about their condition.
Gain knowledge of, and understand, the effects of treatment on patients and their families.
Be exposed to clinical problem solving and the methods by which differential diagnoses are made.
Understand the principles involved in undertaking a physical examination and be able to undertake the
assessment of vital signs.
Understand the limitations of current treatments and appreciate the areas that require future research.
PGR students undertaking the module will be required to keep a portfolio with details of what they learn during each
session. The medical student tutors will assess the knowledge and understanding of each student when they take a
clinical history from a patient in the final session. All students will receive feedback on their performance from their
tutors, and where relevant from the ‘Patients as Educators’.
Please note that given the specialist nature of research it may not be possible to perfectly match research areas and
patient conditions.
If you are interested, but wish to know more, please contact Dr Denise Bee by email to: d.bee@sheffield.ac.uk