Do you have ‘lived experience of dementia’?

“Would you be happy to share your experience in order to help educate future doctors”

You Can Help Teach Future Doctors?

As a person living with a diagnosis of Dementia or a degree of cognitive impairment; or you caring for your loved one with Dementia; ‘You are an expert, with lived experience in Dementia’. It is so important that the doctors of the future are able to recognise dementia and mental health conditions, and have the learning opportunity to appreciate the impact that Dementia has on an individual’s life (patient or carer). Your knowledge and lived experienced stories guide our medical students to be more aware and understanding of the condition, mental , social and physical health needs, alongside of carer stress. Having an opportunity to be involved in these interviews is one of the most effective and impacting ways that supports medical students learning and development.

Would you consider using your expertise to share with medical students?

We ask that as Expert Patients or Expert Carers, you would kindly offer positive and constructive feedback, as it is vitally important in supporting a medical students development in communication listening skills, approach, compassion and empathy.

The sessions are at the Medical Annexe, Radbourne Unit on the Royal Derby Hospital either on site, The Ashbourne Centre at Kingsway Hospital, or remotely via Microsoft Teams (we can offer support if this is your chosen option). There is free parking and easy access for people with disabilities, and good public transport links.

• Each session takes approximately 90 minutes and you are paid expenses to cover your time (and travel costs if applicable)

• During the interview with a medical student, a Clinical Educator or a Lived Experience Facilitator will be allocated to support and guide you through the whole process.
• You have an option to sign up to sessions that suit you (likely to be offered one every 4- 6 weeks) and these will be organised with our administrators and yourself. There is no pressure, as we are aware and recognise that cancellations are likely given the impact that Dementia has on the person and the carer, alongside of multiple other issues including complex health conditions and social issues.
• When you express an interest in the programme, a Clinical Educator or Lived Experienced facilitator will make contact with yourself should you express an interest in being involved in the Expert Patient or Expert Carer programme, and arrange a face to face visit, telephone, email or MST on-line contact.
• You will be interviewed by the medical student, where they will ask you questions about your lived experience of dementia and as to how the diagnosis and symptoms have impacted on you (Patient or Carer).
• Your lived experience and knowledge will enable the student to develop their questioning and approach, communication and listening skills, whilst aiding in the development of personable skills including empathy, sensitivity and compassion.
• At the end of the interview, you will be asked to complete a written short questionnaire about the student’s performance for feedback. Your feedback is to help the student identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Our team are here to support you. Volunteering with us could support you with your future too.

 

I wanted to pass on a huge thankyou for sharing your family's story of

Dementia.

 am really grateful that we had the opportunity to find out more about your perspective as a carer, and the journey you and your family experienced. Incredibly difficult situation to navigate and it's very kind that she took the time to talk through this for our learning, it is hugely appreciated.

Thank you so much again

 

Contact them 

You can contact them in the following ways:-

Undergraduate & Teaching Unit, Medical Annexe, The Radbourne Unit, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3WQ

Telephone contact: 01332 623937 or 623932

Administrators: Sharon.white57@nhs.net or Kerry.tillson@nhs.net

Older adult Clinical Educators: Tracey.barker1@nhs.net & Sharon.roddis@nhs.net, Tracey.barker1@nhs.net

Lived Experienced Facilitator; A.buckley5@nhs.net