Sarah Collins

Sarah is a compassionate and influential teacher who has made a significant impact on clinical communication teaching at Edinburgh Medical School. As a senior lecturer, she led the transformation of the communication curriculum, using evidence-based approaches and conveying the importance of research in practice. Sarah's teaching style is enthusiastic, constructive, and compassionate, inspiring students to think deeply about the influence of communication on their practice as medical students and future clinicians.

Sarah's commitment to student-centred learning is evident in her use of interactive and hands-on methods, including small group tuition, demonstrations, and personalised feedback. She has created a culture of inclusivity, treating every student as an individual and modeling the principles of patient-centred communication. Sarah has also introduced innovative approaches, such as actor trainers, to provide a supportive environment for learning and experimentation.

One of Sarah's greatest strengths is her ability to listen to students' needs and wishes, delivering a bespoke communication curriculum that is challenging and stimulating. She has empowered students to take an active role in their learning, accommodating time for student-led discussion, critique and reflection.