Getting Ahead in Medicine

201 Pages·1998·1.84 MB·English

by  F.C. Forrest

GETTING AHEAD IN MEDICINE
A GUIDE TO PERSONAL SKILLS FOR DOCTORS
GETTING AHEAD IN
MEDICINE
A GUIDE TO PERSONAL SKILLS
FOR DOCTORS
C.J.H.Johnson, C.R.Hall
Anaesthetic Department, Southmead Hospital,
Bristol, UK
and
F.C.Forrest
Sir Humphry Davy Department of Anaesthesia,
Bristol Royal Infirmary,
Bristol, UK
© BIOS Scientific Publishers Limited, 1998
First published 1998
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.
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or by any means, without permission.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 0-203-34531-2 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 1 859960 21 9 (Print Edition)
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Important Note from the Publisher
The information contained within this book was obtained by BIOS Scientific
Publishers Ltd from sources believed by us to be reliable. However, while every effort
has been made to ensure its accuracy, no responsibility for loss or injury whatsoever
occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of information
contained herein can be accepted by the authors or publishers.
The reader should remember that medicine is a constantly evolving science and while
the authors and publishers have ensured that all dosages, applications and practices
are based on current indications, there may be specific practices which differ between
iv
communities. You should always follow the guidelines laid down by the manufacturers of specific
products and the relevant authorities in the country in which you are
practising.
Cover Design by Designers and Partners, Oxford, UK.
CONTENTS
(The logos denote topics of practical interest at the skill levels shown.)
Abbreviations ix
Using this book xi
Preface xiv
About the authors xv
1. Getting a job 1
Career planning 2
Preparation 3
Producing a curriculum vitae SKILL LEVEL 1 3
The job application 7
The appointments procedure 10
Induction procedures 14
2. Organizing yourself 16
Time management 16
Assertion 19
Stress 21
Advice 22
3. Structured training 25
Structure of medical education in the UK 25
Organization of training 26
The process of training 28
Appraisal and assessment 30
Counselling 35
vi
Mentoring 36
4. Teaching and learning 38
Learning techniques 39
Small group teaching 42
Problem-based learning 45
Preparing for examinations 46
Passing examinations 49
5. Computers and information technology 52
Computer hardware 52
Computer software 56
Computers in hospitals 59
Basic use of a computer SKILL LEVEL 1 62
Finding out information SKILL LEVEL 2 65
6. Talks and lectures 70
General principles 70
Presenting a clinical case SKILL LEVEL 1 74
Presenting at a journal club SKILL LEVEL 2 76
Research presentations SKILL LEVEL 3 78
Lecturing SKILL LEVEL 4 81
7. Visual aids 84
The media 84
Graphic design 87
Displaying data 88
Producing a basic OHT SKILL LEVEL 2 90
Using a presentation program SKILL LEVEL 3 91
8. Quality in medicine 95
Quality 95
Clinical audit 98
Collecting data SKILL LEVEL 2 102
vii
Completing a criterion-based clinical audit SKILL LEVEL 3 104
Evidence-based medicine 107
Other ways of using evidence to make judgements 109
The value of quality initiatives 110
9. Research 112
Research skills 112
Selecting a topic for research 113
Getting ethical consent for human research 115
Performing research 117
Writing a paper 120
10. Getting things done 124
Management 124
Planning 79
Marketing 128
Committees 130
Budgets 132
11. Beginning a consultant job 136
The consultant contract 136
Getting started 138
The clinician as leader 140
Writing a reference 142
Private practice 145
12. The structure of health care 150
Historical perspective 150
Organization of health care in Britain 152
Funding health care in Britain 152
Management structure and finance in trusts 155
The underlying dilemma of health care 156
The health of the population 157
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13. Society, medicine and doctors 159
The historical context 160
Oaths, codes and declarations 162
An ethical approach to decision making in medicine 166
Doctors, duties, discipline and complaints 169
14. Skill exercises 174
Appendix: Further reading 179
Index 180
ABBREVIATIONS
A-V audio visual (aid)
ACME Advisory Committee on Medical Establishments
AGMETS Advisory Group on Medical and Dental Education, Training
and Staffing (England and Wales)
AOB any other business (in a committee meeting)
APACHE acute physiology age chronic health evaluation
ARR absolute risk reduction
BIT binary digit
BMJ British Medical Journal
CAL computer-aided learning
CCST Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training
CD-ROM compact disk-read only memory
CEPOD confidential enquiry into peri-operative deaths
CME continuing medical education
CPC clinico-pathological conference
CPU central processing unit (of a computer)
CV curriculum vitae
dpi dots per inch (computer screen or printer definition)
DVD digital versatile disk
EEC European Economic Community
EPR electronic patient record
GMC General Medical Council (of the United Kingdom)
GP general practitioner (family doctor)
HMO health maintenance organization
IT information technology
LREC Local Research Ethics Committee
M&M morbidity and mortality (meeting)