An app created by newly qualified medics at West Herts to support medical students settle into their first roles as doctors has won first place at a national innovation conference.
Easy ED is an e-learning tool for newly qualified doctors and medical students which provides a textbook, clinical scenario bank and clinical companion all in one place. The app is the brainchild of Dr Nicole Tay and Dr George Hammerton, two first year junior doctors at Watford General Hospital.
Their creation won first place in the Technology and Innovation Award category at the National Innovation in Medical Education Conference which took place in June.
Dr Tay and Dr Hammerton were inspired to create a tool based on their experience of their first roles as newly qualified doctors at Watford General Hospital, where they found the transition more challenging than anticipated.
The app provides a reference guide for common clinical scenarios and allows newly qualified doctors to apply their knowledge to case studies. By inputting symptoms into the clinical companion feature, the app will recommend which investigations should be carried out and why, providing new medics with additional resources and guidance to make informed decisions.
Although the app is currently a pilot, its creators hope it will be fully available to students and junior doctors at West Herts when the new intake of junior doctors arrive in August.
Dr Senan Devendra, Director of Undergraduate Education, said: “Transitioning from a medical student to junior doctor can be very difficult due to changing roles and responsibilities in regards to patient care, limited experience in managing clinical uncertainties, and the need to work within multiprofessional teams. This app provides a great learning tool for medical students and junior doctors to help them navigate this challenging transition period.”