Doctors' Working Lives News
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Monday, February 21, 2005
Warning overseas doctors
Those of us who were at the IWL for Doctors conference in December will remember that an audience member made a plea for the DoH to stop encouraging overseas doctors to take PLAB, and to inform them about the lack of jobs in the UK. A working party, set up by Prof Carol Black of the RCP, has taken on board at least the latter point, warning junior overseas doctors to expect unemployment in the UK (BMJCF), while an overseas PLAB aspirant gives commentary and advice on the situation (RxPG News) (Thanks to Elena Gonzalez for the BMJCF link.)
Poll results: PRHOs "should pay in full for accommodation"
Should PRHOs still receive free/subsidised accommodation?
Their accommodation should be free: 27%
Their accommodation should be part-subsidised: 18%
They should pay in full for accommodation: 55%
The general feeling seems to be that times have changed since the Medical Act insisted on free accommodation for PRHOs. Still, nearly half of you took pity on their huge student debts, which is nice.
New poll: What impact do you predict MMC will have on service?
Of course, we have been reassured that it will have no impact on service, so this is just collecting opinions. Anonymous opinions. We'll try and add some more info on MMC in the next update.
Recruitment and retention
Yorkshire hospital "may close" due to EWTD and junior doctor recruitment problems
Thousands more surgeons needed "to halt 2010 crisis" (Scotsman, also BMJ)
.....and consultant vacancies in Scotland hit record high (Herald)
....but a junior doctor says there aren't enough jobs for juniors in Scotland
Tips for doctors
Evidence based job hunting for doctors - doctors.jobscore.co.uk
Tips on leading the surgical ward round (BMJCF)
Tips on managing emails
Research
24hr on call "doesn't affect surgical performance" now that US restrictions on hours are in place (Laryngoscope 2005;115(1):143-6)
Short nap more efficacious than short rest during 2hrs of VDT work (Ergonomics 2004;47(14):1549-60)
CMAJ has a summary of the study by Landrigan et al showing that work hours restrictions reduce serious errors by doctors. However, a number of letters to the NEJM raise concerns over the conclusions of the Landrigan study.
Latest news
Why women don't want to work in cardiology - and yes, the hours are part of the problem (Telegraph, also in BMJ)
Doctors may provide lower standards of care the longer they practice (BMJ)
European employees "prefer too much work to too little" (HR Gateway)
And finally.....our friend the Robot Doctor is coming to the UK!
Poll results: PRHOs "should pay in full for accommodation"
Should PRHOs still receive free/subsidised accommodation?
Their accommodation should be free: 27%
Their accommodation should be part-subsidised: 18%
They should pay in full for accommodation: 55%
The general feeling seems to be that times have changed since the Medical Act insisted on free accommodation for PRHOs. Still, nearly half of you took pity on their huge student debts, which is nice.
New poll: What impact do you predict MMC will have on service?
Of course, we have been reassured that it will have no impact on service, so this is just collecting opinions. Anonymous opinions. We'll try and add some more info on MMC in the next update.
Recruitment and retention
Yorkshire hospital "may close" due to EWTD and junior doctor recruitment problems
Thousands more surgeons needed "to halt 2010 crisis" (Scotsman, also BMJ)
.....and consultant vacancies in Scotland hit record high (Herald)
....but a junior doctor says there aren't enough jobs for juniors in Scotland
Tips for doctors
Evidence based job hunting for doctors - doctors.jobscore.co.uk
Tips on leading the surgical ward round (BMJCF)
Tips on managing emails
Research
24hr on call "doesn't affect surgical performance" now that US restrictions on hours are in place (Laryngoscope 2005;115(1):143-6)
Short nap more efficacious than short rest during 2hrs of VDT work (Ergonomics 2004;47(14):1549-60)
CMAJ has a summary of the study by Landrigan et al showing that work hours restrictions reduce serious errors by doctors. However, a number of letters to the NEJM raise concerns over the conclusions of the Landrigan study.
Latest news
Why women don't want to work in cardiology - and yes, the hours are part of the problem (Telegraph, also in BMJ)
Doctors may provide lower standards of care the longer they practice (BMJ)
European employees "prefer too much work to too little" (HR Gateway)
And finally.....our friend the Robot Doctor is coming to the UK!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Night Shift
Some resources on night shift working this week.
The RCP has a very useful audit of the "week of nights" approach. Working the night shift: An audit of the experiences and views of specialist registrars working a 13-hour night shift over 7 consecutive nights
And it's finally here = BMJ Careers Focus's Tips on surviving night shifts
BMJCF also has an article on the importance of sleep medicine.
Resource of the week: The British Sleep Society (www.sleeping.org.uk). The BSS are holding a free conference on Fatigue, Sleep and Biological Clocks - more details on the forum noticeboard.
In other news:
Selecting and supporting contented doctors (BMJ) - Medical students must receive regular, structured, and constructive appraisal, says this editorial.
AMedNews has received a response to its previous article on junior doctors' hours. "No single hours guideline fits all resident training situations", argues Dr Rahul Gupta, arguing that efficiency and effectiveness are both important - particularly in a litigious society. "Can we truly be held to the highest ethical standards by our patients when we did not train at the most intense level?"
And argument is still raging over the consolidation of services in Lothian, due in part to working time restrictions on junior doctors. (Sunday Herald)
The RCP has a very useful audit of the "week of nights" approach. Working the night shift: An audit of the experiences and views of specialist registrars working a 13-hour night shift over 7 consecutive nights
And it's finally here = BMJ Careers Focus's Tips on surviving night shifts
BMJCF also has an article on the importance of sleep medicine.
Resource of the week: The British Sleep Society (www.sleeping.org.uk). The BSS are holding a free conference on Fatigue, Sleep and Biological Clocks - more details on the forum noticeboard.
In other news:
Selecting and supporting contented doctors (BMJ) - Medical students must receive regular, structured, and constructive appraisal, says this editorial.
AMedNews has received a response to its previous article on junior doctors' hours. "No single hours guideline fits all resident training situations", argues Dr Rahul Gupta, arguing that efficiency and effectiveness are both important - particularly in a litigious society. "Can we truly be held to the highest ethical standards by our patients when we did not train at the most intense level?"
And argument is still raging over the consolidation of services in Lothian, due in part to working time restrictions on junior doctors. (Sunday Herald)
Thursday, February 03, 2005
First updates for 2005
Yes, Australia was great, thanks. Hot, and sunny, and - ok, I'll stop now. So..... anything much been happening while I've been away?
Oh yes.
Poll results: Lemsip isn't magic, "Steve", go home and get some rest
Yes, he should be taking time out to recuperate properly: 60%
No, if he's able to take some medication and work at home, that's fine: 13%
No, he should be getting on with the job, not slacking off just because it's winter: 27%
New poll: Should doctors still get free/subsidised accommodation in their PRHO year?
As reported in the Evening Standard, medical students' average debt has risen to £16,000, while their £30,000 starting salaries are being cut by EWTD changes. However, doctors are entitled to free hospital accommodation in their first year (though London doctors will lose their London weighting). So is free (or subsidised) PRHO accommodation still essential? Vote now...
And where does the requirement to provide free accommodation come from? The question's been posted in the forum, so please reply there if you know.
Tips for doctors:
How to cope with cross-covering other specialties (BMJ Careers Focus)
Tips on leading an on call team (BMJCF)
Tips on working with nurses (BMJCF)
Tips on being a successful foundation SHO
How personality type affects the way you work in a team (BMJCF)
Dictaphone technique for doctors (BMJCF)
Doctor-patient communication and personality type (BMJCF)
Advice for doctors juggling two part-time jobs (BMJCF)
Knowing where to draw the line when winding down with colleagues (BMJ)
How to run effective meetings (BMJCF)
New responses have been received on the article Managing big clinics (BMJCF)
Latest news:
A PDA trial is taking place in Livingston (Scotsman) while AmedNews reports on use of PDAs by US doctors
On the down side....Data entry is a top cause of medication errors (AMedNews)
and E-Health Insider looks at Confidentiality and the electronic patient record
Looking ahead: What does 2005 hold for doctors? (BMJ Careers Focus)
Better teamwork is key to patient safety (AMedNews)
Supporting doctors:
The stress of relocation - doctors need extra support when relocating (BMJ Careers Focus)
Difficulties encountered by left-handed surgeons (BMJ)
Report calls for action to improve careers in academic medicine (BMJ)
Working with registrars: a qualitative study of interns’ perceptions and experiences (MJA)
UK doctors need to work abroad for academic experience - Australia praised for its reduced working hours culture (BMJ Careers Focus)
A nurse reflects on her experience of working night shift (CMAJ)
Recruitment and retention:
The health of people in rural settings is being neglected (BMJ) (The Herald also reflects on implications in Scotland, while in America the JAMA Archives of Surgery discusses the need to plan ahead for a projected decline in general surgeons in rural areas.)
Recruitment and retention crisis in Scotland
MSPs warn of impending staffing crisis in the NHS (Scotsman)
MSPs demand rethink on centralisation of health services in Scotland (The Herald)
Research:
Effects of the length and timing of nighttime naps on task performance and physiological function. Rev Saude Publica 2004;38(6 Suppl):32-7 Apparently doctors sleep better if they take their naps later, but suffer more from sleep inertia at that time (surprise). So earlier naps are preferable.
Extended work shifts and the risk of motor vehicle crashes among interns. (N Engl J Med 2005;352(2):125-34.) They double the risk of car crashes, according to this study. (See abstract)
Variation in sleepiness during early morning shifts: a mixed model approach to an experimental field study of train drivers.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):973-90.
The effects of a nap opportunity in quiet and noisy environments on driving performance.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):991-1001.
Lessons about sleepiness and driving from the Selby rail disaster case: R v Gary Neil Hart.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):1073-7.
Sleep and sleepiness among Brazilian shift-working bus drivers.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):881-8.
Recovery after prolonged sleep deprivation: residual effects of slow-release caffeine on recovery sleep, sleepiness and cognitive functions. Neuropsychobiology 2004 Dec 20;51(1):16-27
Flexible working hours, health, and well-being in Europe: some considerations from a SALTSA project.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):831-44.
And would you believe... the Robot Physician concept is still going strong. Bring 'em on!
Oh yes.
Poll results: Lemsip isn't magic, "Steve", go home and get some rest
Yes, he should be taking time out to recuperate properly: 60%
No, if he's able to take some medication and work at home, that's fine: 13%
No, he should be getting on with the job, not slacking off just because it's winter: 27%
New poll: Should doctors still get free/subsidised accommodation in their PRHO year?
As reported in the Evening Standard, medical students' average debt has risen to £16,000, while their £30,000 starting salaries are being cut by EWTD changes. However, doctors are entitled to free hospital accommodation in their first year (though London doctors will lose their London weighting). So is free (or subsidised) PRHO accommodation still essential? Vote now...
And where does the requirement to provide free accommodation come from? The question's been posted in the forum, so please reply there if you know.
Tips for doctors:
How to cope with cross-covering other specialties (BMJ Careers Focus)
Tips on leading an on call team (BMJCF)
Tips on working with nurses (BMJCF)
Tips on being a successful foundation SHO
How personality type affects the way you work in a team (BMJCF)
Dictaphone technique for doctors (BMJCF)
Doctor-patient communication and personality type (BMJCF)
Advice for doctors juggling two part-time jobs (BMJCF)
Knowing where to draw the line when winding down with colleagues (BMJ)
How to run effective meetings (BMJCF)
New responses have been received on the article Managing big clinics (BMJCF)
Latest news:
A PDA trial is taking place in Livingston (Scotsman) while AmedNews reports on use of PDAs by US doctors
On the down side....Data entry is a top cause of medication errors (AMedNews)
and E-Health Insider looks at Confidentiality and the electronic patient record
Looking ahead: What does 2005 hold for doctors? (BMJ Careers Focus)
Better teamwork is key to patient safety (AMedNews)
Supporting doctors:
The stress of relocation - doctors need extra support when relocating (BMJ Careers Focus)
Difficulties encountered by left-handed surgeons (BMJ)
Report calls for action to improve careers in academic medicine (BMJ)
Working with registrars: a qualitative study of interns’ perceptions and experiences (MJA)
UK doctors need to work abroad for academic experience - Australia praised for its reduced working hours culture (BMJ Careers Focus)
A nurse reflects on her experience of working night shift (CMAJ)
Recruitment and retention:
The health of people in rural settings is being neglected (BMJ) (The Herald also reflects on implications in Scotland, while in America the JAMA Archives of Surgery discusses the need to plan ahead for a projected decline in general surgeons in rural areas.)
Recruitment and retention crisis in Scotland
MSPs warn of impending staffing crisis in the NHS (Scotsman)
MSPs demand rethink on centralisation of health services in Scotland (The Herald)
Research:
Effects of the length and timing of nighttime naps on task performance and physiological function. Rev Saude Publica 2004;38(6 Suppl):32-7 Apparently doctors sleep better if they take their naps later, but suffer more from sleep inertia at that time (surprise). So earlier naps are preferable.
Extended work shifts and the risk of motor vehicle crashes among interns. (N Engl J Med 2005;352(2):125-34.) They double the risk of car crashes, according to this study. (See abstract)
Variation in sleepiness during early morning shifts: a mixed model approach to an experimental field study of train drivers.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):973-90.
The effects of a nap opportunity in quiet and noisy environments on driving performance.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):991-1001.
Lessons about sleepiness and driving from the Selby rail disaster case: R v Gary Neil Hart.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):1073-7.
Sleep and sleepiness among Brazilian shift-working bus drivers.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):881-8.
Recovery after prolonged sleep deprivation: residual effects of slow-release caffeine on recovery sleep, sleepiness and cognitive functions. Neuropsychobiology 2004 Dec 20;51(1):16-27
Flexible working hours, health, and well-being in Europe: some considerations from a SALTSA project.Chronobiol Int 2004;21(6):831-44.
And would you believe... the Robot Physician concept is still going strong. Bring 'em on!
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.
