title: A picture tells 1000 words: learning teamwork in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Teamwork and patient centredness are frequently articulated concepts in medical education, but are not always explicit in the curriculum. In Ireland, recent government policy emphasises the importance of a primary care team approach to health care. We report on an appraisal of a newly introduced community-based student attachment, which focused on teamwork.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review students' experience of teamwork following a community clinical placement by examining student assignments: essays, poetry, music and art.
  
  
  METHODS
  Year-2 graduate-entry students (n = 45) spent 2 weeks with a primary care team. Attachments comprised placements with members of the primary care team, emphasising team dynamics, at the end of which students submitted a representative piece of work, which captured their learning. Essays (n = 22) were analysed using a thematic content analysis. Artwork consisted of painting, collage, photography, poetry and original music (n = 23). These were analysed using Gardner's entry points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three core themes emerged in both written and visual work: patient centredness; communication; and an improved appreciation of the skills of other health care professionals. Students identified optimal team communication occurring when patient outcomes were prioritised. Metaphors relating to puzzles, hands and inter-connectedness feature strongly. The poems and artwork had a high impact when they were presented to tutors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary care team placements focus student attention on teamwork and patient centredness. Student artwork shows potential as a tool to evaluate student learning in medical education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, University College of Cork, Ireland. makelly@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Siun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Flynn
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012947:Social Work; D013336:Students, Health Occupations