News / Events
The Harry Berrington Stoner Prize 2011
This prize is awarded to the best essay submitted by a Salford student who has completed a Project Option module. Merit is judged on both oral & written communication skills and the ability to reflect on the challenges of undertaking a project option and the personal development gained from completing the project within a healthcare environment.
To be eligible for the Stoner Prize you must fit the following criteria:
- Be a Salford Year 4 student
- Undertook your Project Options at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and affiliated Hospital Trusts and had your presentations at Salford Royal
- Received the highest marks for both the Oral Presentations and the Final Grade
We are delighted to announce that the Harry Berrington Stoner Prize 2011 went to…
Nafeesa Ramzan (current 5th Year)
Essay title: Reflections on my project option: overcoming obstacles and developing skills
Project Option Supervisor: Dr J MacDonald
Our panel of judges: Professor Felicity Stewart - Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry & Hospital Dean @ SRFT / Dr David Gow - Consultant Neurologist, Consultant Teaching Fellow & Lead for Project Options & SSC’s & Honorary Lecturer @ SRFT
Abstract:
I enjoyed my cardiology placements so approached a consultant cardiologist about supervising a project option in the speciality. I audited the use of a high sensitivity assay for the cardiac biomarker, Troponin T. Although I had performed audits before, I faced many challenges. The unfamiliar premise of this audit and potential need for use of statistics were my main causes for concern. Acquiring a patient list proved difficult as I had not anticipated how long it would take to obtain. I had given an oral presentation before but had struggled with nerves so was keen to overcome this. I created a ten week plan, setting myself deadlines, and ensured that at each weekly meeting I discussed my achievements over the last week and action plans for the next. I underwent training for the electronic patient notes system so that I could collect data efficiently, and took statistics teaching sessions. I went to a session incorporating drama techniques to control nerves. I was able to address weaknesses in my knowledge of cardiology and statistics. When presented with a difficulty that I was unable to resolve myself, I asked for help from a range of sources, including the audit department and my supervisor. I developed my abilities to negotiate and to conduct an audit. My main learning points will be to prepare for a project in advance, to avoid hindrances such as delay in acquisition of a patient list, and to ask for help if I am unsure how to proceed.
