Unfortunately things do go wrong in healthcare and sometimes patients are dissatisfied, disappointed or upset with the care that they have received. Medical Protection supports open communication, and we encourage members to apologise where things have gone wrong, regardless of fault.
Dr Walter Scott FRCGP LL.B(Hons), a general practitioner and Medical Protection member working for Beacon out of hours (OOH) service on the Isle of Wight, highlights the importance of recording accurate and comprehensive notes during OOH care.
Dr Zaid Al-Najjar, a practicing GP and Medicolegal Adviser at Medical Protection, considers the risks that GPs should watch out for when undertaking out of hours (OOH) work.
Working nights is a great learning opportunity for new doctors to cover unfamiliar specialties, have increased clinical responsibility and deal with acutely ill patients for the first time. But, a lack of sleep can strongly impair human functioning.
You’ve lived on a diet of scientific facts since you first decided to go to medical school, and you thought your creative writing days were over when you wrote your last essay for GCSE English.
Medical Protection makes changes to GP subscriptions to help with extended hours
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Medical Protection has made changes to how it sets GP subscriptions to reflect current and emerging primary care delivery across the UK. New definitions of work patterns have been introduced, in a move that Medical Protection hopes will help members who wish to work extended hours.
Raising concerns and whistleblowing - Northern Ireland
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One of the most difficult situations faced by any clinician is when you are concerned that a colleague’s behaviour, health or professional performance may be placing patients at risk. This factsheet outlines your duty to raise concerns when patients may be at risk of harm.
Good medical records – whether electronic or handwritten – are essential for the continuity of care of your patients. The notes will also form the basis of the hospital’s defence should there be any future litigation against your hospital.
The foundation years can be a shock to the system – being aware of the challenges can help to identify, and prevent, burnout, says Professor Jim Lucey.
During these difficult times for the people affected by Storm Desmond, Medical Protection wants to do what it can to support its members to keep the public healthy and safe. We know that those working in general practice are doing all they can to respond to any increase in demand for their services.
Conducting yourself in a professional manner is essential for a doctor. Dr John Jolly, Head of Member Risk Education at Medical Protection, shares his tips for maintaining a professional demeanour and avoiding unprofessional behaviours.
Medical Protection survey: One in three male doctors have experienced depression
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A Medical Protection survey of over 300 male members shows that a third (30%) have experienced depression throughout their medical career, while one in 10 (13%) have had suicidal feelings.
At presentation, Peter was 14 years old and had presented with migraines since the age of 8. He was taking Pizotifen and his headaches were well controlled. Over the past four weeks he had started getting headaches again. They were in a similar location to his migraines, but were different in nature – he couldn’t put his finger on exactly how.
Clinical negligence claims – what to expect - England
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A clinical negligence claim is a demand for financial compensation for alleged harm caused by substandard clinical care. Common reasons for claims include failure or delay in diagnosis, or incorrect treatment. In fact, many claims arise out of poor communication.
Top ten tips to communicate effectively with colleagues
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Good doctors are good communicators. Professor Allan Gaw, from the National Institute of Health Research, shares his top tips to help you improve your communication skills
Read real-life cases of complaints, claims and clinical negligence taken from our archives.
Chosen to give you clear learning points to help you avoid similar situations and reduce your risk, the cases also feature advice from medicolegal experts.
You'll notice a few things have changed on our website. After asking our members what they want in an online platform, we've made it easier to access our membership benefits and created a more personalised user experience.
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