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Following the success of Gambling Harm UK's - Real Patient Simulated Based Medical Education (RPSMBE) Upskilling Programme developed in 2022, we have now developed a second new training programme for medical students. This programme was delivered to year one medical students at Imperial College on the 5th June 2023.
The feedback on the new programme was excellent and we will be now looking to offer this programme to medical schools along with our RPSMBE programme.
The new programme has been designed to achieve two learning objectives for the students:
· The first is to help them achieve an understanding of gambling harm as a public health issue.
· The second is to increase their understanding from a clinician’s perspective.
A short summary of the evaluation feedback from those students who attended these new workshops, along with testimonials from Doctors Donovan and Thakerar who we worked with to plan the new programme are shown below:
Dr Molly Donovan:
The workshop by Gambling Harm UK for Imperial medical students was really impactful. It broke down the complexities of gambling harm and provided unique insight through lived experience which set it apart from conventional teaching methods. Students gained both practical skills to identify and address gambling harm, and a wider awareness of the need for a multi-faceted, population level approach in tackling the harm from gambling. I strongly believe that all medical students should have the opportunity to attend a workshop like this. Thank you, John and Ben!
Dr Viral Thakerar:
The session delivered by John and Ben for our medical students was a powerful call to action. The blend of neuroscience, data on harms from gambling including on affected others, film clips, lived experience and discussing what clinicians and wider society should do, seemed to resonate with our students. There were plenty of thought-provoking questions and responses throughout the session.
SUMMARY FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS
At the end of each of the one hour and fifty-minute session, students were asked:
Would you prefer more, less, or the same amount of learning on gambling harm at the Under Graduate level?
Responses by group were as follows:
Group 1: 27 attendees (17 responses submitted via Menti)
Less More The Same
0 3 14
Group 2: 24 attendees (13 responses submitted via Menti)
Less More The Same
0 1 12
In response to the question: What is your key takeaway message?
Students responded as follows:
Group 1:
Gambling is a learned behaviour
Gambling is very common
The process of gambling is just as rewarding as winning the bet
The harms of gambling and the way the industry uses tactics and marketing to get people into gambling
Affects more deeply than previously thought
There is a strong psychological & biological basis behind gambling
Gambling can affect anyone, and may not show immediate signs
Gambling can affect every aspect of life
That gambling is an impulse and that although it may be due to neural circuits developed in the brain and life stressors, there's a huge degree of responsibility on gambling companies
Gambling is more widespread and more harmful than it seems. Significance of MECC (Make Every Contact Count). Also ask about gambling when relevant in patient history taking
There is no deliberate choice involved in gambling and the process is as rewarding as the satisfaction of winning.
Gambling harm can manifest in several forms
That gambling is a hidden addiction which needs to be treated with good support and empathy
The gambling industry heavily encourages gambling much more than I originally thought
Loss-chasing, crime, disguising losses as wins, bright imagery to camouflage bad habit
The effects gambling can have on all aspects of someone’s life
Gambling harm can have varying extents between individuals. Gambling harm can include financial, social, cultural legal. It’s a behavioural addiction increased by the industry but helped by charity, NHS
There are various different methods the gambling industry uses to get people to gamble more
Not enough awareness on gambling as a public health issue Not enough updated legislation on gambling after phones Not enough research on gambling
Gambling can occur due to an array of different factors, not solely down to the idea of making money quickly
Group 2:
Gambling is a serious disorder
Gambling disorder can affect not just the person suffering but the people around them
Gambling can affect others as well as the gambler
Gambling isn’t always a matter of being irresponsible
Gambling is a disorder - not the persons fault
Gambling can affect you and those around you
The process of gambling is almost the same in the brain as winning. It's an uncontrollable impulse disorder that can affect anyone
Gambling is not the gamblers’ fault and is more than just a lack of willpower
Gambling harm affects mental health greatly
The harm caused to the individual and affected others
Gambling can affect anyone and is a much more prevalent problem than I previously thought
Gambling is a health condition
Important to not look at people gambling with prejudice but instead be open to help them especially as clinicians
There are many reasons why someone may gamble
It is not normally mentioned in consultations and hence should be asked about whilst taking a social history.
Be aware of the many aspects gambling can affect in someone’s life
Gambling has many serious repercussions for the person gambling and their relationships with people around them
Gambling may likely need intervention
When asked - What did you like most about the session?
Students gave the following responses:
Group 1:
Interactive
Interactive, liked the videos shown and thought the content was very engaging.
Engaging, interesting topic, like the way it was delivered with videos
Personal anecdotes
Personal experience of facilitators
Used personal experiences to make the point.
The cases and videos
I liked that personal stories were shared which showed us that gambling affects normal people too.
Liked the video and the gamblers story
Enthusiasm of the talkers
It was very informative and comprehensive
Very informative and personal story
The organisation
Group 2:
Informative
Very interactive and videos were helpful and engaging.
It was really informative, as I had never given gambling much consideration before.
The videos
It was very informative and interactive.
Very multifaceted, with multiple causes and effects explored
Talking about the techniques Gambling companies use.
Very enlightening session and highlighted the issues of stigma
Information given aside real-life stories
When asked - What did you dislike most about the session? – Key themes were
Would have valued more opportunity to speak with facilitators during the session
A little long and may have benefited from being broken down into more than one session or done during earlier in the day.
Wish a greater proportion of the time could have been allocated to personal lived experience stories
Maybe more of a group type discussion rather than lecture style
Leaving
Nothing - Nil
Facilitator ratings given by students:
Group 1: 14 Excellent, 3 Good
Group 2: 11 Excellent, 2 Good.
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