This conversation explores the changing landscape of student support within medical education, focusing on mental health, neurodivergence, reasonable adjustments, early intervention and the transition into clinical employment. It highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable speaking up and educators feel confident responding to concerns. The conversation also showcases the importance of a joined-up support network and encourages both students and staff to communicate early, ask questions and seek support when needed.
9 Jul 2026
Teaching University of Aberdeen medical students: An educator's guide
Teaching medical students is rewarding, but knowing where to find the right information and support isn't always straightforward. In this episode, Dr Kim Walker is joined by Clinical Teaching Fellows Elizabeth Faulkner and Chiyokoma Kabaso to discuss the development of Aberdeen's new Clinical Educator Handbook, a practical resource designed to support clinicians involved in undergraduate medical education.
Together, they explore the challenges educators face, how the handbook was developed, and why having accessible guidance can make teaching easier, more consistent, and more rewarding.
10 Mar 2026
Inclusive Language in Medical Education
In this episode, Kim Walker speaks with Vidyut, a fifth-year medical student, and Dr Brawley, a consultant in sexual health and HIV medicine, about the importance of gender-inclusive language in healthcare. They discuss how small changes in communication can improve patient trust and access to care, particularly for LGBTQ+ communities, and why building confidence in inclusive communication is an important part of medical education.
27 Aug 2025
AI in Medical Education
In this episode, we dive into the fast-evolving world of AI and its growing impact on medical education. Join clinical educators and digital leads from the NHS and Aberdeen Medical School as they unpack how AI, from diagnostic tools to ChatGPT, is reshaping teaching, learning, and the future of clinical practice.
Whether you're a curious educator, a sceptical clinician, or a digital native student, this conversation sheds light on how AI can enhance, not replace, our roles. From personalized learning and smarter exam prep to ethical concerns and practical guardrails, it’s all about empowering faculty and students to navigate the digital shift with confidence, not fear.
- Featuring real-world use cases
- Debunking AI myths in medicine
- Tips for using generative AI responsibly
- Why "trust but verify" is the new mantra in digital education
Tune in and discover why AI in medical education isn’t just coming, it’s already here.
27 Aug 2025
Placements and Clinical Experience
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of medical student placements with Kim Walker, Ashley Meldrum, and Moraig Gordon from the University of Aberdeen. From first years finding their feet to senior students embedded in clinical teams, placements are critical—but they can be overwhelming, both for students and for busy NHS staff.
Kim, Ashley, and Moraig explain how their team bridges the gap, offering on-the-ground support to students while working closely with clinical educators to keep placements running smoothly. It’s all about relationships, problem-solving, and making sure students—and staff—feel supported, informed, and ready for real-world healthcare environments.
Featuring:
- How the team supports 300+ medical students on placement
- What clinicians need to know when supervising students
- Why uniforms, lanyards, and visibility matter
- Top tips for making teaching feel less daunting in busy clinical settings
27 Aug 2025
Years 4 to 5 of the MBChB Curriculum
What does it take to turn medical students into doctors? In this episode, Dr Kim Walker is joined by Dr Craig Brown (Deputy Year 5 Lead and Simulation Lead) and Dr Owen Dempsey (Year 5 Lead and CBL Lead) to unpack what learning looks like in the final stages of Aberdeen’s MBChB programme.
They discuss the role of year 5 as a true "apprenticeship year," how simulation helps develop clinical reasoning, and how NHS clinicians—new or experienced—can support students in becoming confident, capable, and safe doctors.
Key Topics:
- Year 5 as an experiential, apprenticeship-style year
- Using simulation to build confidence and clinical reasoning
- Feedback, inclusion, and the culture of team-based learning
- How clinicians can support and get involved—from OSCEs to electives
27 Aug 2025
Years 1 to 3 of the MBChB Curriculum
What does the journey from first-year lectures to third-year clinical placements look like - and what role do clinical educators play along the way?
In this episode, Dr Kim Walker speaks with Dr Alison Jack (Year 1 Lead), Dr Pietro Marini (Year 2 Lead), and Dr Jerry Morse (Year 3 Lead and Simulation Educator) to unpack how the early years of Aberdeen’s MBChB programme prepare students for senior clinical work. They explore how teaching evolves across the first three years, how placements are structured, and why getting students engaged early is key to developing confident, capable doctors.
Key Topics:
- The structure of learning across Years 1–3
- What clinicians should expect from junior students
- How to support students who are still building confidence
- Why engagement, enthusiasm, and access matter
27 Aug 2025
Leadership In Medical Education
What does it take to lead a top-ranking medical programme in a time of enormous change?
In this episode, Dr Kim Walker is joined by Dr. Wendy Watson (MBChB Programme Lead) and Professor Colin Lumsden (Director of the Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences) to explore how leadership, innovation, and teamwork are shaping the future of medical education at Aberdeen.
From adapting to increasing student numbers to integrating AI and technology, this honest and wide-ranging discussion covers everything from curriculum reform to clinical educator support—and why co-producing change with students and junior doctors is more important than ever.
Highlights:
- Vision and challenges of leading a modern medical school
- Balancing student growth with clinical placement quality
- The evolving role of the clinical educator in 2025
- Integrating AI and uncertainty into teaching
- Why co-production with students and residents is essential for success
24 Oct 2024
The role of simulation in medical education
In this podcast we are discussing what the role of simulation is in medical education and in the delivery of the MBChB Curriculum at the University of Aberdeen. We are joined by Dr Jerry Morse, lead for Clinical Simulation and the lead for Year 3.
24 Oct 2024
Case Based Learning
What is Case Based Learning (CBL), how to implement it, and how is it done at the University of Aberdeen?
24 Oct 2024
Professionalism in Medical Education
What does professionalism mean to educators and students in medical education and how is it achieved at the University of Aberdeen?
24 Oct 2024
Year 1 of the MBChB
In this podcast we are discussing with Alison Jack, lead for Year 1 of the MBChB Curriculum at the University of Aberdeen, what her role means to students and medical educators.
24 Oct 2024
Why MBChB at the University of Aberdeen
An interview with Dr Colin Lumsden, Lead for MBChB at the University of Aberdeen
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