Medicolegal Adviser Dr Marika Davies explains how to maintain professionalism when dealing with trivial requests from patients

In addition to clinical negligence, will MPS assist with other liability arising from my practice?

If I accidentally bump into someone and hurt them walking along the street, my immediate reaction is to say sorry, regardless of whether it was or wasn’t my fault. What happens when we place a similar analogy into a doctor/patient context?

Dr Saba Tabish, an FY2 doctor in Wolverhampton, reviews five of the best apps for foundation doctors.

Dr Peter Logan, an FY1 doctor working in the Midlands, reflects on the start of his journey as a foundation doctor.

Dr Mark Dinwoodie, Director of Education at Medical Protection, discusses the importance of reflection and Dr Ayaz Khalid, a foundation doctor, shares his top tips for reflective practice

Trust sits at the heart of the doctor-patient relationship – it is fundamental. I for one have discussed issues with my GP which I would never dream of discussing with friends and family, and as a doctor myself, have been at the receiving end of equally personal and confidential information from patients.

Several members have contacted us with queries regarding flu vaccinations; primarily which practice colleagues can administer these, and what safeguarding should be in place if so.

There is no escaping the fact that ‘Dr Google’ is becoming more and more influential in GP consultations. At Medical Protection, we commissioned a YouGov online survey of 2021 British adults to look at the pros and cons of seeking medical advice from the internet.

Medical Protection is calling on the GMC to halt plans to expand their register.

Dr Marika Davies, a medicolegal adviser, solves your dilemma around speaking up about unethical behaviour.

We are aware that some members who have recently qualified as GPs are experiencing delays in their application to have their status amended on the National Performers List. This is leading to some confusion as to whether they can continue to work while waiting for their status to be changed.

The importance of good, clear and thorough medical records cannot be underestimated - not only do they ensure the smooth running of your day-to-day life in practice; they might prove invaluable in the event of a claim.

According to a recent study, patients displaying ‘difficult’ behaviour increase GPs’ risk of getting a diagnosis wrong. Kirsty Plowman reports

By many measures, healthcare has never been safer: it is a safer time to have a baby or an anaesthetic or indeed a better time to have a heart attack, and yet as a GP you are more likely to be sued than ever before. Kirsty Plowman reports

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.

Medical Protection is committed to speaking up for members and raising concerns at the highest level.

Doctors who received training to improve their communication skills report a significantly lower rate of difficult interactions.