Clinical experience for sixth form students.

General practitioners and hospital consultants are regularly approached by sixth form students requesting the opportunity to visit them at work to learn something about medicine. What is arranged depends upon the interest and enthusiasm of the medical practitioner. Little has been written about the interplay between the needs of the sixth form students, the rights of patients to confidentiality and the cost effectiveness of such attachments. Confidentiality must be supported by a written contract with the student.