Supervisors
Training is based partly on an apprenticeship model of learning and teaching - with delegation of routine work, and partly on an academic model, including the study of particular problems under supervision.
Since the learning of skills is by experience, supervisors play a key role, and the ultimate success of the programme rests on their ability to delegate appropriate work and give suitable guidance.
Types of supervisors
Faculty guidance requires that an educational supervisor is appointed to each trainee with responsibility for planning, co-ordinating and supervising training.
Each trainee must also have regular access to a named academic tutor.
The educational supervisor may co-ordinate the work of other designated project or attachment supervisors as the trainee rotates through a variety of training experiences, e.g. attachments to different training bases.
Selection and training of supervisors
Faculty Advisers appoint supervisors and designate those who are educational supervisors for each trainee. Competent public health specialists do not automatically have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to train well. supervisors require initial and continuing education to develop their training competence.
Supervisors are expected to get a minimum amount of training each year as part of their CPD requirements. Since training may well be an essential aspect of work as a consultant, supervisor development should begin at trainee level.
Training the trainer courses are run regionally by the training programme. Please contact your programme administrator, deanery, or Training Programme Director for details of TTT courses in your region.