Although teaching during consultations in ambulatory clinics (i.e.
out patients or general practice) has great potential, it is limited
in what it can achieve if students remain only passive observers.
However, with relatively little impact on the running of a clinic,
students can participate more actively. For example, they can
make specific observations, write down thoughts about differential
diagnosis or further tests, or note any questions – for discussion
with the teacher in between patients. A more active approach is
‘hot-seating’.