Welcome to the Happy Medics Blog!
You will find lots of useful insights on our blog and we aim to publish new articles every week! Most articles are written by the Happy Medics team but we also accept articles from our readers for publishing - so if you have an idea or personal experience that you would like to share then please get in touch with us. We would love to hear from you!
Junior Doctor Tips - Managing Steroid Therapy: Understanding Side Effects and Safe Withdrawal
Patients on long-term steroid therapy often face a range of health challenges, from susceptibility to infections to various side effects. As medical professionals, it's crucial to understand these risks and manage steroid therapy effectively. In this article, we'll delve into the side effects of steroids, how to manage patients on steroids during illness, and the safe withdrawal of steroid therapy.
Junior Doctor Tips: Assessing the Post-C-Section Patient
As an SHO in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, you will usually be asked to assess Day 1 post-operative (C-section) patients. Mainly to determine if this post-operative recovery period has been uncomplicated, so that we can discharge the patient’s care to the midwives aka ‘Midwife Led Care.’ MLC means we won’t need to review the patients again the subsequent days unless concerns were raised by midwives. Most C-section patients can be discharged 1-2 days after their procedure. Below are some key points that should not be missed.
Junior Doctor Tips - Death & Dying
About 65% of people die in hospitals in the UK and, as the population continues to age, the total number is expected to rise. Caring for the dying/terminally ill is stressful for all those involved in their care, including Junior Doctors. Evidence suggests Doctors and healthcare workers come to terms with mortality at a much younger age than most people.
Junior Doctor Tips - “Hi, Doctor, Can you please ..”
It’s been a month on the job as a foundation year 1 doctor. And yet, every time I hear that, I momentarily freeze and look around curiously. “Doctor? Who’s that?” It still takes me a couple of seconds to register and remind myself that yes, I am the doctor, and the person responsible for the tasks at hand.
Junior Doctor Tips - Cardiac Arrests
As a Doctor, you will almost certainly be a member of the hospital cardiac arrest team. When faced with a cardiac arrest situation, staying calm and following a well-learned plan of action is essential. In this blog article, we'll walk you through the crucial steps to respond effectively to cardiac arrest situations.
Junior Doctor Tips - Advice on Prescribing
I’m going to start off with a disclaimer - I’m literally 2 weeks into FY1 (at the time of writing this!) so my experience with prescribing is limited. The idea of solo prescribing is something I found a little daunting during med school, so I thought it’d be useful to share some of the general advice I’ve gathered from practising with doctors and pharmacists as well as things I’ve learned through personal experience.
Junior Doctor Tips - Radiology Requests
Radiology is a cornerstone of modern medicine, playing a pivotal role in clinical practice. It offers valuable insights through various imaging modalities, aiding in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and assessing the progression of medical conditions with precision. As a junior doctor in the NHS, your journey will involve requesting radiological investigations and interpreting the results for patients. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential practices, emphasising the importance of communication, minimising radiation exposure, and providing insights into common radiological procedures.
Junior Doctor Tips - DNACPR Discussions
DNACPR discussions - the bread and butter for every doctor regardless of your grade or specialty. And as a junior doctor, you’re probably the one who spends the most time with patients and their families. Different trusts will have different policies as to who can sign the legal DNACPR document, however having the discussion is something anyone in the team can do. Everyone has a different way of approaching the topic and there are no set rules on what's the best way or worst way to do it. But here's my advice if you're freshly graduated or new to the country, don't “over-medicalise” the discussion and keep it simple.
Junior Doctor Tips - Caring for Elderly Patients
As Junior Doctors, it's important to recognise that elderly patients often present with unique challenges and nuances in their healthcare needs. Their symptoms may be non-specific and downplayed, and they might conceal significant pain due to their often stoic nature. When dealing with elderly patients, whether in a hospital or clinical setting, it's crucial to approach their care with a special understanding of their circumstances…
Junior Doctor Tips - Anticoagulation & VTE Prophylaxis
Anticoagulation and VTE Prophylaxis
Junior Doctor Tips - Handovers, Referrals, Self-Discharges & Fit Notes
FY1 Tips - Handovers, Referrals, Self-Discharges & Fit Notes
Junior Doctor Tips - Writing Discharge Summaries
FY1 Tips - Writing Discharge Summaries
Junior Doctor Tips - The Ward Round
FY1 Tips - The Ward Round
Junior Doctor Tips - Managing Workload
FY1 Tips - Management Skills
Junior Doctor Tips - Seeking Support and Building Confidence
FY1 Tips - Seeking Support & Building Confidence
Junior Doctor Tips: Getting Ready for Foundation Training
Getting Ready for Foundation Training
Junior Doctor Tips - Adverse Incidents on the Ward
FY1 Tips - Adverse Incidents on the Ward
Junior Doctor Tips - Documenting & Making Notes
FY1 Tips - Documenting & Making Notes