The students were asked to develop their understanding of the experiences and needs of people with rare conditions, specifically smell and taste disorders. Their goal was to develop an understanding of what good patient-focused practice would look like to try to improve the experience for those living with a smell and/or taste impairment.

Ella focused on post-covid smell and taste loss, and Jade on Samter’s Triad. Ella and Jade gave an excellent summary of the challenges and how they might be addressed. They emphasized the value that peer support provides to people affected by an under-recognised, hidden sensory impairment, highlighting the fantastic work Fifth Sense volunteer Julie Wilson has been doing for several years now supporting people in Scotland. Many thanks to Julie and Fifth Sense member Jenny Thomas for sharing their experiences and insight. 

We were really impressed by the excellent work Ella and Jade have done in gaining an insight into the challenges faced by people with smell and taste disorders.

We’re looking forward to collaborating further with the University of Dundee Medical School.