Consultant in acute and respiratory medicine, and clinical lead for acute medicine, Northwick Park Hospital
Dr Tennant recently completed the MSc in Medical Leadership, a part-time programme taught at the RCP in London, and jointly delivered by the RCP and Birkbeck, University of London.
I can highly recommend the course having just completed my diploma year. I started the course 8 years into my consultant career, with several years of working in clinical leadership roles behind me. I think it would be valuable for doctors from senior registrar to established consultant level.
The modules are an enjoyable change from day-to-day clinical work, and gave me a chance to do something that would aid my own professional development.
The modules are an enjoyable change from day-to-day clinical work, and gave me a chance to do something that would aid my own professional development. This shift of focus from the relentless pressure of acute medicine was hugely welcome and very refreshing. The group of students bonded strongly and we all learnt from each other, as well as from the excellent teachers.
The course has a strong academic focus. It came as something of a shock to be writing 2,000-word essays. However, researching the social sciences literature and really getting to grips with the evidence for why things are done the way they are was fascinating.
Although the course focuses on academic theories, these are applicable in day-to-day practice. Insights into different leadership styles, the evidence for selection processes and the role of human resources have translated well into my clinical activities. This course has made me a better leader, but I have also gained in other ways: through working closely with other students to produce work under time pressure, through creating space to think, and through doing something just for me. I cannot recommend it highly enough!