Frequently asked questions

  • How do we ensure that what we teach is relevant and accurate?
    The junior doctors should be encouraged to use NHS resources when developing tutorial topics. These are both up to date and accurate. We have provided sample resources elsewhere on this site. The resources can be found here
  • What happens if we don’t have time for Bitesized Teaching?
    Make the tutorial a regular part of the working week for the ward. Staff can anticipate that they will receive teaching on a given day. The benefit of this initiative is that it is brief and has high impact – there is no need to use more than 10 minutes a week.
  • What happens if the junior doctors are reluctant to deliver the tutorials?
    Junior doctors should be supported in the preparation and delivery of Bitesized Teaching. As a general rule, they should spend no more than an hour preparing a tutorial. They can use Bitesized Teaching to gain a Work Based Assessment for their portfolio. Delivering Bitesized tutorials has been instrumental in enhancing good working relationships in the past, with ward staff greatly appreciative of the time and effort that doctors commit to the teaching.
  • What happens if we teach the same topics more than once?
    Remember that attendance at a tutorial will be variable with staff taking annual leave or working night shifts etc, so that it is an expectation that very few staff will attend all of the timetabled sessions in any one cycle of delivery. If you are attending the same tutorial for the second or third time, then remember that the consolidation of knowledge is the best way to retain information. Besides, there can often be 12 weeks or more before the same topic reappears on the timetable and by then, there will be a different doctor delivering the tutorial using a different teaching style. Finally, you can always introduce new topics to extend your knowledge of physical health complaints.
  • What happens if we don’t have afternoon handover sessions?
    Bitesized teaching is flexible to the working practices of the ward. Go by a simple principle –
    Where can you find 10 minutes of dedicated tutorial time with maximum staff attendance that causes minimal disruption to the working week?
    Some sites have implemented Bitesized teaching during ward rounds, therefore Junior doctors can get a Work Place Based Assessment. It’s an opportunity to have all staff present.
  • How will I retain all this information?
    The junior doctors will provide a handout which you can refer to at a later date. The co-ordinator can collect handouts from successive tutorials to create a central ward-based resource. Remember, the tutorial is 10 minutes long so that it allows maximum retention of relevant information
  • Is this going to replace mandatory training?
    No. Bitesized Teaching is simply a programme of tutorials designed for you to gain confidence in your understanding of physical health problems.
  • How much will it cost to set up?
    Nothing. It is cost free.
  • What happens if we don’t have teaching facilities on our ward?
    Bitesized Teaching is meant to provide basic, discursive tutorials. There’s no need for electronic teaching aids.