Medical Education

Medical students on long-term rural clinical placements and their perceptions of urban and rural internships: a qualitative study

There is some anecdotal evidence that anxiety about the responsibility of an intern influences rural future intentions. Additionally, research has shown that urban interns have reported that they are worried about being ‘forced’ to work in non-metropolitan hospitals in their first year after graduation. This study sought to explore rural medical students’ perceptions and expectations of a rural internship and how local health services and/or their medical school can prepare them best for a rural intern position.

Local Government Association Report

Public health transformation seven years on: prevention in neighbourhood, place and system

The LGA’s 2020 public health annual report showcases examples from 10 areas that demonstrate what can be achieved by public health operating across local government and working closely with the NHS and a wide range of local and system partners. The examples are from councils across England, covering both rural and urban environments and with varying degrees of deprivation and affluence.

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

How to enhance the integration of primary care and public health? Approaches, facilitating factors and policy option

This policy brief explores how primary care and public health can be brought together to improve the health of patients and populations. It describes the types of initiatives that have been undertaken; provides examples of such initiatives in Europe and beyond; and summarises the factors that can help to enhance or hinder the integration of primary care and public health.

Report

Recreating parks: securing the future of our urban green spaces

In this briefing paper, the cross-party think-tank states that parks and green spaces should be seen as a tool of health care in the same way as medicines and therapies. Giving the NHS a role in supporting parks and green spaces would allow doctors to make more use of social prescribing techniques where patients are told to take exercise and spend time outdoors to boost physical and mental health.

Health and Well-being

How to maintain a slower pace of life after lockdown

Before lockdown, our lives were defined by speed. Rushing around, living life at rocket pace was the norm. Keeping up with work responsibilities, social obligations and the latest tech or fashion trends was a never-ending feat. Only a privileged few could afford to slow down. This research shows that in order to experience the benefits of slowing down, people must decelerate in three ways.

Report

Prevention in the age of information: public education for better health

This report highlights that tackling preventable illness must remain a top priority for the government in the 2020s. More than half of the disease burden in England is deemed preventable, with one in five deaths attributed to causes that could have been avoided. It goes on to argue that any prevention strategy must take into account the way information can be used to promote public health and spread information. 

Medical Students – Mental Health

Taking care of our future doctors: a service evaluation of a medical student mental health service

Studies suggest medical students experience high levels of mental distress during training but are less likely, than other students, to access care due to stigma and concerns regarding career progression. In response, The School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge supported the development of the ‘Clinical Student Mental Health Service’ to provide specialist input for this vulnerable group. This study evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of this service.

Read the study here