The Primary Care Medical Education team at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS) recently hosted an Academic Primary Care Student Welcome Event. Organised by Dr Sophie Park, the event brought together over 20 students embarking on their Final Honours School (FHS) studies, as well as a few currently undertaking their Special Study Modules (SSMs), for an inspiring introduction to the world of academic primary care.
The event created an enthusiastic atmosphere, offering students a valuable opportunity to connect with each other and staff members. A wide range of supervisors from across the department attended, meeting their students and contributing to an energetic and welcoming environment. The gathering marked an important step in building a sense of community among students engaged in academic primary care and fostering cross-disciplinary exchange.
This year, over 10% of Oxford medical students have chosen to study for their intercalated FHS degree with NDPCHS, marking a significant milestone for the department and a strong testament to the positive impact of academic engagement and mentorship. Staff from across the department have played a key role in this achievement, offering their time, expertise and encouragement to inspire the next generation of primary care researchers and clinicians.
Further Student Initiatives
NDPCHS is one of the largest primary care departments globally, and the event underscored the department’s commitment to sharing its broad expertise with students. The department is also delighted to be hosting three NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) internships for both medical and science students over the summer. These internships offer hands-on research experience and provide students with a deeper understanding of the scope and impact of academic primary care.
Looking ahead, the department is planning an informal session later in the term for students to share work-in-progress, offering a platform for peer learning and constructive feedback. Additionally, Alumni Manager Shona Nicholson is collaborating with students to develop a mentoring cohort of student academic primary care ambassadors – laying the groundwork for continued engagement and peer support in future years.
Overall, the welcome event was a meaningful and engaging start to the academic journey for attendees, reaffirming NDPCHS’s role as a hub of excellence in primary care education and research.