Doctors' Working Lives News
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Friday, June 25, 2004
Believe it or not....
US doctors have debated whether to refuse treatment to malpractice lawyers, reports the BMJ. The motion was brought by surgeon Dr Chris Hawk but defeated at the American Medical Association. One correspondent emailed: "What Dr Hawk is proposing is egregious, both hypocritically and Hippocratically."
Waste time with people
The BMJ has a great personal piece on the different emphasis of holistic traditional medicine in Africa. Not directly about doctors' working lives, but worth reading.
""Waste time with people," advised the African bishop with a smile. "You Europeans are always concerned about projects and budgets. The African does not worry about them—just waste time with people.""
""Waste time with people," advised the African bishop with a smile. "You Europeans are always concerned about projects and budgets. The African does not worry about them—just waste time with people.""
Better acute care
The Scotsman reports on a hospital reorganisation project in Lothian.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Younger people more affected by sleep deprivation
New research from France finds that although participants aged 20-25 have faster standard reaction times when alert, they are more affected by sleep deprivation than participants aged 52-63.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
I've updated the links on the Legislation page to the Dept of Health information on SiMAP and Jaeger. If you find any other broken links, let me know.
BMA update
The BMA have published their manifesto for the Euro-elections 2004, with specific reference to better working conditions for doctors and a "third way" on junior doctors' hours.
The BMA website also has the Chairman's Speech to the Senior Hospital Doctors' Conference, which is critical of the demands put on consultants by Department of Health policy, particularly around the consultant contract and Modernising Medical Careers.
The BMA website also has the Chairman's Speech to the Senior Hospital Doctors' Conference, which is critical of the demands put on consultants by Department of Health policy, particularly around the consultant contract and Modernising Medical Careers.
Monday, June 14, 2004
I, Robot
Is it a Stannah Stairlift? Is it a Sinclair C5? No, it's Robodoc! E-Health Insider reports from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, where a robot does the rounds, allowing doctors to access patients via video link.
But will EWTD lead to an army of metal medics across the UK?
"The BMA were unable to comment about the possibility of this happening", deadpans the Insider, "citing that doctors, nurses and surgeons being replaced by an army of machines would be "a trade union issue"."
But will EWTD lead to an army of metal medics across the UK?
"The BMA were unable to comment about the possibility of this happening", deadpans the Insider, "citing that doctors, nurses and surgeons being replaced by an army of machines would be "a trade union issue"."
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Overworked Britain
"Willing workaholics" - the Guardian Magazine has an excerpt from Madeleine Bunting's new book, Willing Slaves: How the Overwork Culture is Ruling Our Lives (to be published on June 21 2004).
The excerpt looks particularly at "emotional labour" and has an interesting take on how this causes pressure for continuity of care.
The excerpt looks particularly at "emotional labour" and has an interesting take on how this causes pressure for continuity of care.
Friday, June 11, 2004
News update
The Herald reports on a staffing shortage in transplant surgery which will be seriously impacted by EWTD.
It also reports on a new report recommending an increase in doctor numbers.
The Herald also reports that the Scottish Council of the BMA have attacked politicians over staffing levels in Scotland.
BMJ Career Focus has a positive editorial about Modernising Medical Careers.
It also argues that better interview methods are needed for recruiting junior doctors.
The New England Journal of Medicine carries an article on international medical graduates in the US (full text requires suscriber access).
HR Gateway reports on claims that work-life balance is a major issue for women's happiness.
It also reports on a new report recommending an increase in doctor numbers.
The Herald also reports that the Scottish Council of the BMA have attacked politicians over staffing levels in Scotland.
BMJ Career Focus has a positive editorial about Modernising Medical Careers.
It also argues that better interview methods are needed for recruiting junior doctors.
The New England Journal of Medicine carries an article on international medical graduates in the US (full text requires suscriber access).
HR Gateway reports on claims that work-life balance is a major issue for women's happiness.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Doctors: depression and burnout
The Canadian Medical Association Journal has an article and some ensuing correspondence on depression and burnout in the medical profession.
Friday, June 04, 2004
Countdown to (EWT)D-day
The BMJ has an article on the countdown to August 1st and the challenges for doctors working under EWTD.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
EWTD reform proposal
The BMJ reports on a proposed new EWTD category - "inactive on-call time".
The government is likely to want to apply this to resident on call time, which is currently classed as work under the SiMAP ruling. However, the BMA argues that resident on-call should remain classified as work, and "inactive time" should apply to non-resident on call.
The European Commission is asking the social partners to reach agreement on this or it will bring forward its own legislation. Watch this space!
The government is likely to want to apply this to resident on call time, which is currently classed as work under the SiMAP ruling. However, the BMA argues that resident on-call should remain classified as work, and "inactive time" should apply to non-resident on call.
The European Commission is asking the social partners to reach agreement on this or it will bring forward its own legislation. Watch this space!
Modernising Medical Careers pilot
The BMJ has an article on a foundation year pilot programme in the West Midlands.
Driver drowsiness--are physicians at a special risk?
New research from the University of Tel Aviv suggests that doctors working shifts have an increased risk for driving accidents.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Improving Clinical Handover
Vanda Clarke (NWLondon WDC) has circulated a link to presentations from the ARCHI Toolkit seminar on Improving Clinical Handover in Adelaide, Australia.
This site is maintained by Ellie Pattinson. All rights reserved. This website is maintained independently of the NHS and the views expressed are not necessarily a reflection of the views of that organisation. For any queries, contributions or amendments, please email me on admin@idwl.info.
