Student Review of PEEP Placement
Hello, I am Lydia, a first-year dietetic student from the University of East Anglia. This year I participated in a two-week Peer enhanced e-placement (PEEP) - with freelance dietitian Ellie Coles.
My Key Learning Experiences:
Consultation Skills: We practised helping patients change their health habits through interactive virtual simulation. This involved using behaviour change techniques, counselling skills, and communication skills. Supervisors on PEEP provided different insights & feedback into the consultation approach which allowed us to practice our communication with patients & each other.. Practical practice boosts our confidence & enables us to practice in the future more efficiently.
Communication Skills: In hectic hospital placements, we need good communication skills to enhance interpersonal relationships with colleagues. We worked on different tasks throughout the PEEP in groups, pairs and individually which was good to gain practice for working with other and giving them feedback. Students held various meetings, presentations, and discussions which gave us experience on how to talk with others is key to building good relationships with colleagues in the future.
Leadership & professional skills: As a dietitian it is important complete tasks on time & to prioritise workload. PEEP gave us the opportunity to practice this as we had multiple projects and discussions ongoing at any one time. We were expected to take initiative and engage with our course colleagues to prepare for group tasks and our proactive attitude ca be taken into our NHS placements.
Social Media Presentation Skills: In today's digital world, effectively using social media is crucial. PEEP allowed us to showcase our professional skills and helps us expand our professional networks through gaining the opportunity to create podcasts, blog posts and Instagram posts. Instead of just teaching us guidelines and theory, the Peep-placement provided us with practical experience in this critical area.
Supervision & Feedback: In every task, students were expected to provide positive and constructive feedback to their peers. This was in addition to supervisor feedback. positive feedback strengthened our confidence but personally, I appreciated the constructive feedback since these are precious opportunities for you to change yourself to be a better dietitian in the future. To illustrate, I asked the “patient” many questions about their diet habit in virtual stimulation (role playing). The supervisor suggests asking an open question and taking some time for patients to express themselves freely, which could lower their stress levels and that we needed to ensure our intervention in the consultation was more effective and personalised for patients. This inspired me a lot, which enhanced me to be a more mindful student dietitian in NHS placement.
How could PEEP help you?
Consultation skills: After receiving various insights into the roles of dietitians for patients, we will be capable of managing different cases more flexibly as a professional.
Social Media: By engaging in tasks to grow experience in using social media we know which formats are suitable for different platforms such as blogs, videos or podcasts etc. Additionally, we can broaden our networks; higher exposure may increase our opportunities to find jobs and other career development.
Resilience: When it comes to a busy working pace, we ought to speak up about our situations, such as sickness and task progress. We learn how to inform senior colleagues about our progress. We were encouraged tostrike a balance between adequate rest and good achievements which is vital for students to manage their well-being in the long term.
Confidence: . PEEP enabled me to prepare and grow my confidence to participate with patients in my NHS setting. I am also more calm in the NHS setting, enabling me to handle conversations with patients in my hospital placement
