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Preliminary success of the Preston Widening Access Programme (PWAP)

Authors

D Nimmons
J Higham
M Pugh
K Swindley
A Patterson
A Freemont

Theme

9JJ Admission to Medicine and Postgraduate Training Programmes

INSTITUTION

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Preston Hospital
University of Manchester

Background

Despite The University of Manchester's (UoM) good reputation in widening particpation, a new scheme was started this academic year in Preston. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals (LTHTR) provides undergraduate education to hundreds of students from Manchester Medical School (MMS) but there are few initiatives in Lancashire that encourage low participation groups in to medical education. Thus, the Preston Widening Access Programme (PWAP) was created, a novel partnership between MMS and LTHTR. Its main aim is to increase MMS student representation of those from low socio-economic backgrounds in the Lancashire area and this year was piloted in a local college in Preston, Cardinal Newman College.

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Summary of Work

Over a 9 month period students attend workshops that demonstrates specific knowledge and skills. These workshops occur bi-weekly at the LTHTR and are delivered by clinicians and medical students. The PWAP calender is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: PWAP Calendar

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References

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Summary of Results

7 students took part in the pilot. PWAP scored an average of 4.9/5 for usefulness in preparing them for medical school (Graph 1).

Graph 1: Results when students were asked how usesful PWAP was in preparing them for medical school

Furthermore, attending workshops at the hospital and constant medical student involvement had helped them visualise themselves studying and working as medical students and doctors. This is demonstrated by the quotes below. Thus, all students felt more confident in applying to medical school this October.

We can speak to them about the course. It’s nice to have the medical students because they’ll have up to date knowledge about the interviews and what happens the first year and second year and how that works. Student 2

The environment, that atmosphere, just seeing people around in their uniform and things, it’s getting you into the mindset about the whole career in the medical field. So I think that was really good. Student 1

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Acknowledgement

All staff and medical students that have been involved with PWAP.
All PWAP students for their hard work and dedication to the scheme.

Summary of Work

PWAP was publicised via the students' online forum and a college presentation. Interested students completed an application form and had an interview and were accepted onto PWAP if they met the set widening participation criteria and impressed at interview. In return for taking part and completing PWAP, the students receive benefits including:

Help and support with medicine application process
Guaranteed interview at MMS
Reduced grade entry of AAB (instead of AAA)
Clinical years guaranteed at Royal Preston Hospital

Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate each workshop and the scheme as a whole.

Summary of Results

The students gave many reasons when asked directly how the scheme had benefitted them and included:

help with writing the personal statement
general support with the application process
an increased knowledge of the application process
an increased knowledge of certain topics within medicine, such as confidentiality
help with interview skills and communication
the ability to see if medicine was for them
helping them stand out when applying

They were also very keen to decribe the aspects of the scheme they did and did not enjoy. Common trends are shown in the Table 2.

Table 2: Postive and negative trends