About Dr Elsa Randles
I have lived and worked in the north-east all my life. I graduated with MBBS with Distinction from Newcastle University in 2002 and worked as a junior doctor in local hospitals, before training as a GP in Northumberland. I qualified in 2007, and gained my MRCGP in 2008. I currently work as a part-time GP in Newcastle upon Tyne in addition to my role here at Sunderland. I was made a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2025.
I previously worked for the Newcastle University MBBS programme (2008-2017) with roles in early clinical experience, communication skills teaching, inter-professional learning, and patient and public involvement. I have a Master's in Clinical Education (MClinEd) (Newcastle University 2014), and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2009).
In the University of Sunderland School of Medicine, I have previously been a Clinical Year Lead and Head of Undergraduate GP Teaching. I am currently the Interim Head of the School of Medicine.
Teaching and supervision
Interests
- Role transitions in medical training and careers
- Inter-professional learning and teaching
- Clinical communication skills
- Shared decision making in clinical practice
Research
My research has centred around improving communication skills in medical practice, through embedding interprofessional learning in undergraduate medical curricula, and by developing skills for shared decision making.