Learning by doing: clarifying accountability in the supervision of medical students in general practice

Gerry Gormley is a general practitioner and professor of simulation at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). In his academic role, he leads the Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC) for medical students at QUB. While his research focuses on how simulation can enable transformation in individuals, teams, and organisations, he has had a long-standing interest in left-right confusion in medical students. Following repeated observations of students encountering challenges with laterality decisions in teaching practice, this led him to research and publish widely on right-left discrimination, providing insights into how best to minimise errors from this common human phenomena.

Professor Kathy M Cullen is Director of the Centre for Medical Education at Queen’s University Belfast and a Consultant Respiratory Physician. She leads national work in medical assessment, contributes to curriculum innovation, and serves as an examiner and reviewer for UK medical licensing and education standards.