From serendipity to technology: use of a web-based information and booking system to improve clinical attachments at a district general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Clinical attachments form a vital part of the learning experience for medical students but may vary in educational value. This paper describes a project intended to improve the quality of attachments at a District General Hospital in Devon, UK after negative feedback was received from students. AIMS: To improve educational quality by providing information and choice for students. METHOD: The intervention was to set up a web-based system that allowed students to view before arrival all educational opportunities available, not only in the hospital but in the surrounding district. Students were contacted by email 2 weeks before their attachment and were then able to construct their own timetable from the menu of opportunities available. RESULTS: The system was popular with students, recruited new providers of learning opportunities and also integrated learning across primary and secondary care. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention encouraged a sense of ownership of the learning experience as well as maximising the use of available learning resources.