In March this year the GMC (General Medical Council) released new guidance on social media. As well as all the usual stuff (don't make friends with patients on Facebook, don't give advice over twitter, don't breach confidentiality etc) it gave guidance on doctors posting anonymously on the Internet. Now here is a dilemma: if you search the GMC website for Dr Merys Jones, the person that you find is not me (I have no idea if such a person exists and I haven't checked the GMC database). This is a pseudonym, and one I have had long before even going to medical school, never mind being a doctor. I started this blog in 2005 when I was still an undergrad the first time around. I wasn't even sure I would get into medical school, never mind qualify.
During that time I have never breached patient confidentiality. I don't discuss patients and I don't give medical advice. Ergo I'm not quite sure where I, or this blog stand.
If anyone has any advice then please let me know.
The full guidelines on social media can be accessed here
02 April 2013
01 April 2013
16 March 2013
Time and efficiency
If a manager decided to do a time and efficiency study on myself and 3 of my colleagues right now he'd be downright mortified.
The post-take ward round was meant to start at 0800. At 0825 the registrar called the boss who said he was just leaving home and he would be there in 30 minutes, oh and that he expected all the notes to be ready (which they were - at 0755).
This went on for a while. It's now 1030 and the boss still hasn't turned up. Apparently he's still on his way and we aren't allowed to leave (including the night doctor- who looks like he's ready to murder someone).
I bet he doesn't take us for coffee after the round either.
The post-take ward round was meant to start at 0800. At 0825 the registrar called the boss who said he was just leaving home and he would be there in 30 minutes, oh and that he expected all the notes to be ready (which they were - at 0755).
This went on for a while. It's now 1030 and the boss still hasn't turned up. Apparently he's still on his way and we aren't allowed to leave (including the night doctor- who looks like he's ready to murder someone).
I bet he doesn't take us for coffee after the round either.
15 February 2013
"Here he is folks, the leader of the plaque."
Unfortunately it turns out that as a doctor I make a truly terrible patient.
I've been very lucky and only had a minimal amount of dental work done until now. Except that about 6 months ago I started getting toothache when I ate certain things.
So a few days ago I bit the bullet and made a dentists appointment.
Now the initial appointment didn't go too well. I may not be a perfect doctor, but I do like to warn my patients before I do things to them that they may not like.
Two attempts at X-rays later and he gave up - especially after I *may* have criticised him for his bedside manner*.
He broke the news to me that I needed at least 2 fillings and prescribed some diazepam for the next appointment. Two days later I found myself sat in the waiting room with my other half (mainly stopping me from leaving) waiting for (what I expected to be) the appointment from hell. Once the block was in I didn't feel a thing. He drilled and filled 2 teeth with lovely white fillings and I spent the rest of the morning sleeping off the diazepam and my numb face.
Slight problem with the very effective local block - I still have an exceptionally numb chin (36 hours later).
Unfortunately I have to go and have a wisdom tooth extracted - although he's realised that diazepam alone may not work next time and has referred me to a dentist offering sedation.
*Laughing at a patient who is struggling a bit due to pain isn't very professional, especially when the patient has told you that they're really nervous and anxious. And yes, I know they were only X-rays but I'm not a good dental patient.
Quote and picture from Little Shop of Horrors - well worth watching if you've never seen it before.
11 February 2013
There is a fracture
This has been doing the rounds for a couple of years now, but I have heart it quoted many many times at work. It still makes me smile.
For your enjoyment and perusal: there is a fracture!
For your enjoyment and perusal: there is a fracture!
10 February 2013
You know you have insomnia when
You've sorted the washing out
Emptied and refilled the dishwasher
Cleaned the kitchen
Watched Casualty on iPlayer
Cuddled the dogs
Organised DVDs
and even contemplated hoovering (except that it would wake the other half up).
This is not to do with switching shift pattern - this is a chronic problem I've developed since fifth year of medical school.
Consequently my Kindle and I are very well acquainted and I'm currently watching Total Recall (very quietly) in bed with the subtitles on
Shift starts in 7 hours
Emptied and refilled the dishwasher
Cleaned the kitchen
Watched Casualty on iPlayer
Cuddled the dogs
Organised DVDs
and even contemplated hoovering (except that it would wake the other half up).
This is not to do with switching shift pattern - this is a chronic problem I've developed since fifth year of medical school.
Consequently my Kindle and I are very well acquainted and I'm currently watching Total Recall (very quietly) in bed with the subtitles on
Shift starts in 7 hours
09 February 2013
Shocking news
This blog has now been going for 8 years.
It has waned somewhat since I started work but that's something I'm working on.
Hopefully I will post more this year (if I get a training post to start in August).
Happy Blogiversary to me!
XXX
It has waned somewhat since I started work but that's something I'm working on.
Hopefully I will post more this year (if I get a training post to start in August).
Happy Blogiversary to me!
XXX
31 January 2013
A minor technological glitch
The email address I have used for this blog for 7 years appears to have been invaded.
As a result it has been locked and I can't get back into it. Turns out that when you set yourself reminder questions and don't update them in 7 years it's very hard to remember them...
From now on I can be reached at merysjones[at]googlemail.com
Ta
As a result it has been locked and I can't get back into it. Turns out that when you set yourself reminder questions and don't update them in 7 years it's very hard to remember them...
From now on I can be reached at merysjones[at]googlemail.com
Ta
22 January 2013
Depression
How can something so incredibly common remain such a taboo subject that can only be discussed by doctors and behind closed doors?
I'm prompted to blog this due to a thread on UK ambulance forum (link on the right - I can't do hyperlinks via mobile) regarding depression.
I was diagnosed with depression nearly 7 years ago. I was broken and drained. I was very close to quitting medical school because of it.
I'm by no means an example of 'cured' but I am well managed.
I'm on my third anti depressant but I'm coping well. I love my job and have found (I think) which speciality I want to spend the rest of my career in.
But if I hadn't bitten the bullet, overcome the stigma and addressed my own prejudices regarding depression then I probably wouldn't be a doctor now.
This post is also partly fuelled by the doctor at work who told me that depression is not a mental illness - that it is concocted by primary care (GPs) to get QOF points.
And who says the NHS is full of non-judgemental professionals.
If you are struggling - seek help. I've never looked back
I'm prompted to blog this due to a thread on UK ambulance forum (link on the right - I can't do hyperlinks via mobile) regarding depression.
I was diagnosed with depression nearly 7 years ago. I was broken and drained. I was very close to quitting medical school because of it.
I'm by no means an example of 'cured' but I am well managed.
I'm on my third anti depressant but I'm coping well. I love my job and have found (I think) which speciality I want to spend the rest of my career in.
But if I hadn't bitten the bullet, overcome the stigma and addressed my own prejudices regarding depression then I probably wouldn't be a doctor now.
This post is also partly fuelled by the doctor at work who told me that depression is not a mental illness - that it is concocted by primary care (GPs) to get QOF points.
And who says the NHS is full of non-judgemental professionals.
If you are struggling - seek help. I've never looked back
11 December 2012
Career choices
The problem with being a junior doctor is a bit like choosing a university or course after not very much time.
As a foundation year 1 doctor you usually have 3 jobs in a year (some deaneries* do more and shorter attachments). This could be a mix of anything. A loose rule of thumb is that you do at least 1 medical or at least 1 surgical. The rest could be anything.
You can never do emergency work in first year (to my knowledge).
Just before the end of the first rotation in foundation year 2 (end of November/early December) you have to decide which area you want to specialise in.
And now there is the problem.
I have done 4 different jobs since qualifying and none of them are my chosen career (if I actually know what I want to do...). It is possible to do a taster week earlier in training, although I never got the chance to do it.
So here is my dilemma. I have applied for two different speciality training pathways (there is no limit to how many different specialities you can apply for) but a) what happens if I don't get a training post and b) how do I know I've made the right choices??
Is it too earlier to choose the pathway for the rest of your career?
I think so
*group of hospitals that work together to provide training to foundation doctors that is accredited by the GMC etc in order that all juniors get signed off for the same experience level.
As a foundation year 1 doctor you usually have 3 jobs in a year (some deaneries* do more and shorter attachments). This could be a mix of anything. A loose rule of thumb is that you do at least 1 medical or at least 1 surgical. The rest could be anything.
You can never do emergency work in first year (to my knowledge).
Just before the end of the first rotation in foundation year 2 (end of November/early December) you have to decide which area you want to specialise in.
And now there is the problem.
I have done 4 different jobs since qualifying and none of them are my chosen career (if I actually know what I want to do...). It is possible to do a taster week earlier in training, although I never got the chance to do it.
So here is my dilemma. I have applied for two different speciality training pathways (there is no limit to how many different specialities you can apply for) but a) what happens if I don't get a training post and b) how do I know I've made the right choices??
Is it too earlier to choose the pathway for the rest of your career?
I think so
*group of hospitals that work together to provide training to foundation doctors that is accredited by the GMC etc in order that all juniors get signed off for the same experience level.
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