Table 2 Examples of different teaching points
Topic of teaching point | General teaching point | Specific teaching point |
|---|---|---|
Therapy/treatment | Preceptor advises against combining statins with fibrates due to the heightened risk for rhabdomyolysis. | The medication of a particular patient is discussed and explained. |
Patient history | The GP provides biographical background information which helps understand the patient present. | |
Diagnostic procedure | ECG: After asking student for a sign of hypertension in an ECG, the preceptor explains the calculation of the Sokolow-Lyon Index in ECGs. | |
Physical examination | Knee examination: Preceptor enquires whether student had examined patient for patellar effusion; as this was not the case, the student is then required to do so whilst being instructed by GP. | |
Disease pathology | Von Willibrand’s Syndrome is explained by preceptor | |
Differential diagnosis | The preceptor asks the student what the differential of a cough in children would be. | |
Risk factors | General cardiovascular risk factors are explained. | The factors present in a particular patient are discussed. |
Case presentation | Teaching practitioner explains that he would generally expect the correct medical terms to be used in a case presentation. |