Connie has been active in the field of healthcare simulation since 1989, and employed at UoB since 1991. Primary focus has been design and delivery of teaching and assessment in communication and professionalisation. She works across a range of medical humanities fields. Alongside this she has continuously undertaken medical education research, disseminated via publication and conferencing.
Currently her strategic focus is internal, to cater for substantial increase in programmes and healthcare student intakes, but historically she have worked with Health Education England (in its various historic iterations) and other external stakeholders running PG programmes across all clinical grades/specialities. A flagship example is 18 years’ experience of high stakes coaching for qualified doctors and dentists identified as struggling in communication, language and professionalism.
Connie directs the Interactive Studies Unit, the team responsible for the design and delivery of clinical communication, professionalism and language teaching and assessment for students on MDS patient-facing healthcare programmes (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and Physician Associate), with growing support for Biomedical Science. Input varies between programmes, often comprising forum and small group methodologies. She oversees a team of 5 medical education academics, and an in-house recruited team of 100+ sessional associates who simulate patients, carers, advocates and colleagues, offering learners a live context for direct practice, reflection and personalised feedback (Simulated Patients/Persons – SPs).
Connie leads an intensive 1-1 remediation and support service for individual students identified as having serious difficulty with language, communication or professional development (character). This is the only service of its kind currently reported in the UK, and beyond. She is responsible for the management of up to 70 (complex) cases P/A.
She is responsible for the smooth running of degree programme components, ad hoc externally funded contracts, the well-being of permanent, casual status and self-employed staff/associates, and the overall quality of ISU service delivery. Connie also leads on educational research; both individual and team initiatives.
Her other academic interests include the International Electives (MBChB Module Lead) Global Health (BMedSci Intercalation Programme Deputy), interactive assessment, student recruitment and student support. She has been external examiner for 5 institutions, and act in an advisory capacity for 3 Royal Colleges.