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The Art of Medicine: the top 10 books to read about humanity

11 November 2012 - 2:37pm — Jen's blog

We are all familiar with the classic medical school reading list. However, I would like to introduce you to an alternative list. One that encourages us to seek understanding from our patients' perspectives. Empathy is crucial in communicating with people about their health but how many medical students know friends or family with long term debilitating conditions and have spoken honestly to them about their health?

1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Jean-Dominique Bauby)
2. The Scent of Dried Roses (Tim Lott)
3. The Bell Jar (Sylvia Plath)

NHS could get worse from 2013, say finance chiefs....

27 September 2012 - 7:53pm — Jen's blog

No sooner than the release of news that complaints and litigation cases against UK doctors are on the increase is the warning that care may actually get worse from 2013. That's only about 100 days away, and the public sector pay freeze will be lifted in 6 months time. However, let's dissect this more closely. The news is not based on evidence that care is on the decline nor that it will actually be reduced.

How Not to be a Doctor - The Top 5 ‘struck-off’ stories

18 September 2012 - 2:06pm — tom

The latest GMC report on the state of Medical Education and Practice was released today, and it has become apparent that complaints against doctors have risen by 23% since 2010.

Now I’m all for protecting doctors against unreasonable complaints and expectations, but here, we take a look at some of the most outrageous doctor behavior over the last decade…

Anatobie

17 September 2012 - 11:27am — tom

Ever wondered what the inside of Barbie looked like? Me neither. But Jason Freeny has. So now we all know….

He’s done loads more too. Mr. Potato head, the balloon dog, hello kitty, and lots of other weird stuff. I don’t even know what most of it is.

And he’ll sell you posters, toys, sculptures and other merchandise with it all on.

Images from moistproudction.com

It might be raining but it is still the summer!

8 July 2012 - 12:40am — Jen's blog

Hi all!

Just like Tom, it's been rather busy here, not quite as busy as Tom I'm sure but I can't wait for a holiday, once I finish a wretched report. Last time I promised that I'd write about my applications to university. I probably started thinking about my personal statement this time six years ago. I was recommended BIll Bryson's 'A short history of nearly everything' for some inspiration, which give me it did. There are other books out there but for the record I never read New Scientist and probably will never do!

You might have all sorts of questions: shall I take a gap year? Do I really want to do Medicine? I want to do Medicine but I'm not sure if I have the grades? What are the best things to do to boost my CV and personal statement?

NHS strikes

7 June 2012 - 7:22pm — Jen's blog

It doesn't take a genius to see that the proposed strikes are rather controversial. Doctors haven't striked in over 40 years. Compared to tube workers, baggage handlers and various other public service, we are rather well behaved. Why then are we striking?

There are some very good points made on this blog which I would encourage you to read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/daniel-poulter, he has an interesting perspective as a GP and MP. Not by the blogger himself but by the well read people who have commented below.

The E-Portfolio

18 May 2012 - 8:01pm — tomheaton

Hi everyone, it’s been a while since my last blog so I thought I’d sit down with a brew for a quick type on the keyboard. There are a few interesting topics that I thought could be good to chat about, but there’s one that seems to have had a more dominant role in my life over the past 9 months than any other: time. At this moment I’m in my last block of my FY1 year and the overriding feeling it’s that it has gone very quickly. Time is certainly not the same entity it was a few years ago. How much time will it take to finish my jobs? When will I find time for lunch today? Will I ever leave this damn building on-time?!?

On examination...

11 May 2012 - 10:28pm — Jen's blog

Actually, my OSCEs are over thank goodness. And I've passed. The ultimate nightmare is seeing someone you've dated re-appear in a station as your simulated patient. Fundoscopy exam? Awkward!......(I think that I will save Medics incest for another blog though!)