Overview
This training the trainer course aims to enhance knowledge of, and skills in, educational practice within a clinical setting. Designed for senior trainees and SAS doctors across all specialties and mapped to CCT requirements, it will provide attendees with skills to meet the trainer criteria as set out in the GMC recognition of trainers’ requirements.
Delivered by our Lecturer in Adult Education, Dr Douglas Sutherland, it introduces participants to some of the key theoretical frameworks that underpin contemporary educational practice and demonstrates how these may be applied constructively and flexibly in clinical teaching. By highlighting the benefits of reflective practice and of sharing and developing good practice with colleagues, it will contribute to the continuing professional development of clinicians with training responsibilities.
Delegates will have a choice of attending either an online or in person course. The online course will take place over two weeks on Microsoft Teams and our digital learning platform. Our in-person course takes place over two days in our College in Glasgow.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Identify and define the benefits of reflective and collaborative practice in clinical teaching
- Identify the applicability of different small and large and group teaching methods to training within the clinical environment
- Utilise a range of methods for providing targeted, constructive feedback to trainees
- Align their training practice with GMC standards for training
- Apply relevant educational principles and theory to their teaching practice
- Identify the needs of learners within the clinical environment
- Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the nature and characteristics of the clinical learning environment
Claiming your CPD
This course offers 12 CPD for everyone who attends. This can be claimed via your College account as well as give you access to your downloadable digital CPD certificate.
If you have any questions about claiming your CPD points, our Education team are happy to help.
Course format
To provide necessary flexibility, the College has restructured the course content to enable remote delivery and participation. It will, however, retain interactive small-group elements that enhance the quality of the learning experience and is delivered by a lecturer in adult education.
On the first date, there will be a one-hour live interactive session introducing participants to the requirements of the course.
The second date is the live interactive session where a choice of time slots will be available. The College will endeavour to accommodate participants’ preferences. The time slots are: 9.30–12.30 or 14.00–17.00. Please contact the course coordinator to book your place on one of these sessions.
The course coordinator will be in touch with you a week before the introductory session. If you have any queries in the meantime, her details can be found at the bottom of this page.
Next online dates: 2-17 September 2025, 14-29 January 2026 and 3-18 March 2026
This two-day course takes place in our College in Glasgow. You’ll benefit from our comfortable facilities, as well as lunch prepared by our award-winning chefs.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is conveniently located in Glasgow City Centre, within easy reach of major train stations, motorways and airports. Hotel and parking discounts can be accessed after booking.
Find out more about the best way to get to us here.
The course coordinator will be in touch with you a week before the course. If you have any queries in the meantime, her details can be found at the bottom of this page.
Next in person date: 19-20 November 2025
Simply select your date at the top of the page and hit the ‘Book now’ button and either create an account or login.
What happens on the day?
Click below to view the course programme.
Training the Clinical Trainer ONLINE Programme
Live Introductory Meeting
The one-hour introductory session explains the aims, objectives and intended learning outcomes of the course, introduces the online learning material, and outlines the requirements for course completion and award of the certificate.
Online Modules
These modules can be accessed on demand via your College dashboard and is required to be completed during the two weeks running up to the live interactive session.
- Characteristics of the clinical learning environment
- Standards for training
- Theoretical approaches to learning
- Applying educational theory to practice
- Understanding and assessing learning needs
- Planning and delivering teaching sessions
- The essentials of feedback
- Situated learning and communities of practice
- Workplace-based and learning assessment
- Reflective practice om clinical education
Live Interactive Sessions
The final three-hour interactive session takes place two weeks after the introductory session and enables in-depth small-group discussion of some key aspects of clinical education theory and practice covered by the course, giving participants an opportunity to share perspectives on these and reflect on their own experience of clinical teaching.
Training the Clinical Trainer IN PERSON Programme
Day 1
08.45 – 09.00: Registration, tea and coffee
Session 1
09.00 – 09.45: Introduction
09.45 – 10.30: The Characteristics of the Clinical Learning Environment
10.30 – 11.00: Standards for Training
11.00 – 11.15: Morning Break
Session 2
11.15 – 12.00: Theoretical Approaches to Learning: Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism
12.00 – 13.00: Applying Educational Theory to Practice
13.00 – 13.45: Lunch
Session 3
13.45 – 14.30: Understanding and Assessing Learning Needs
14.30 – 15.30: Planning and Delivering Learning Events
15.30 – 15.45: Afternoon Break
Session 4
15.45 – 16.30: The Essentials of Feedback in Clinical Education:
16.30 – 17.00: Summary and Day Two Preview
17.00: Close
Day 2
08.45 – 09.00: Registration, tea and coffee
Session 1
09.00 – 11.00: Small Group Teaching Practical Session
11.00 – 11.15: Morning Break
Session 2
11.15 – 12.00: Small Group Teaching Practical Session (Conclusion)
12.00 – 12.45: Situated Learning and Communities of Practice
12.45 – 13.30: Lunch
Session 3
13.30 – 14.15: Work-based Learning and Assessment
14.15 – 15.00: Reflective Practice in Clinical Education
15.00 – 15.15: Afternoon Break
Session 4
15.15 – 16.15: Workshop: Promoting a Culture of Excellence in Clinical Education
16.15 – 16.45: Summary and Final Thoughts
16.45: Close
Download the programme PDF below.
Gallery
Photos from a recent in-person Training the Clinical Trainer course at our College, showcasing interactive sessions that support the development of clinical teaching skills.
Hear from some of our past delegates
"Thank you to the course facilitators, they were wonderful and approachable. "
"I found the entire course very useful in improving my teaching skills as a trainer."
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