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Chest Pain
Chest Pain
As a junior doctor, you will also often assess patients complaining of chest pain...
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia
Management of low blood sugar in conscious & unconscious patients, finding common...
Hypoxia
Hypoxia
As an FY1, you will be called to review patients who are hypoxic. Here we will discuss...
Reviewing and Requesting Bloods
Reviewing and Requesting Bloods
Here we focus on blood tests requests for a variety of common scenarios you might...
Ophthamology
Applying to Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology provides a great deal of variety by combining medicine, surgery &...
Death Verification
Death Verification
As a new F1 in August, it can feel like quite a daunting task to verify a death,...
Femoral Stab
Femoral Stab
Femoral puncture is typically used to acquire blood from a patient in an emergency...
Prioritising Jobs
Prioritising Jobs
I’m going to try and be as generic as possible so that hopefully these tips work...
Scans
Requesting Scans
Requesting scans can be a scary daily occurrence for new doctors. It is one of few...
Opiate overdose & toxicity
Opiate overdose & toxicity
You will likely encounter an opiate overdose due to the prevalence of opiates for...
ECG Basics
ECG Basics
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most common, and important, investigations...
CNS Infections
CNS Infections
A CNS infection is one that involves the central nervous system in some way. This...
Heparin
Anticoagulation
For new doctors, prescribing anticoagulants can be daunting. A few simple rules can...
Breaking Bad News
Breaking Bad News
As a junior doctor, you will have face situations where you have to convey potentially...
Sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis is an infection with evidence of organ dysfunction. Septic shock is when a...
Hypertension
Hypertension in Hospital
As a junior doctor, you will often be called about patients with raised blood pressure...
Delirium
Delirium
Acute confusion, otherwise known as delirium, is very common in hospitals: 20-30%...
Suturing
Suturing
Sutures are placed to aid with wound healing following a traumatic laceration or...
Stomas
Stomas
The word stoma comes from Greek to mean “an opening”. There are many...
Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcerations are a significant complication of diabetes...
Ascitic Tap and Drain
Ascitic Tap and Drain
Ascitic aspiration (tap) is routinely performed for every patient admitted with ascites...
Hypotension
Hypotension
Expect many bleeps about hypotension from concerned nursing staff. It is a useful...
PICC Lines and Midlines
PICC Lines and Midlines
You may well be asked to take blood from a PICC line or be called to see a patient...
Ophthalmoscope
How to use an Ophthalmoscope
Being able to use an ophthalmoscope confidently is very important to junior doctors,...
Documentation
Documentation
Medical documentation should authentically represent every consultation and is primarily...
FY1
Preparing for FY1
It is common for FY1s to feel anxious & feel like they’re not ready to...
Jaundice
Jaundice & Deranged LFTs
As the FY1, you will see patients with liver dysfunction either on the take or deranged...
Discussing Treatment Escalation & DNAR
Discussing Treatment Escalation & DNAR
As an FY1 you should not be expected to make decisions regarding treatment escalation...
Upper GI bleed
Upper GI bleed
These patients have the potential to become haemodynamically unstable extremely quickly;...
Gynaecological Examination
Gynaecological Examination
If the thought of conducting an intimate examination or attempting to wield (without...
Pre & Post Operative Care
Pre & Post Operative Care
As a junior doctor, you will frequently look after patients prior to and after their...
Junior Doctor Contract explained
Junior Doctor Contract explained
In the UK, there are different contracts for each region: Northern Ireland, Scotland,...
Stroke
Acute Stroke
Whilst on call or in A&E you may be asked to assess somebody who is suspected...
Medication in Diabetes
Medications in Diabetes
In this article, we’ll cover the treatments used in Diabetes Mellitus. We’ll...
Diabetes
DKA and HHS
You’ve found a patient is hyperglycaemic & either they are ketotic...
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation
AF is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia you will encounter. In this article,...
Pulmonary Oedema
Pulmonary Oedema
RCEM has published some clear and comprehensive information which is well worth a...
Vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo is described as an “abnormal sensation of motion. It can occur in the absence...
Urine Catheter
Urinary Catheterisation
In this article, we discuss when a catheter might be needed and top tips on male...
Hyperkalaemia
Hyperkalaemia
Hyperkalaemia can cause life-threatening emergencies particularly cardiac arrhythmias....
ENT
ENT Emergencies
In this article, we cover the main ENT situations you are likely to encounter either...
Consent
Clinical recordings and the Correct Consent
In all specialities of medicine patient clinical recordings, whether this is photographs...
NG Tube
Nasogastric Tubes
NG tubes are passed from the nose to the stomach. Depending on the material, they...
COPD
Acute COPD exacerbation
As an FY1, you are unlikely to be expected to make decisions about long term COPD...
FY3
How to plan your FY3
FY3 refers to time spent out of training after completing the foundation programme...
Toxic-megacolon
CT Abdomen & Pelvis Interpretation
In the webinar below, Dr Henry de Boer (radiology registrar) provides a structured...
NIV
Non-Invasive Ventilation
Non-invasive ventilation is a way of providing ventilatory support to patients in...
Hypokalaemia
Hypokalaemia
As an FY1 you will frequently see hypokalaemia and most trusts have guidelines that...
Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea & Vomiting
You will frequently get calls regarding nausea & vomiting: many patients present...
Heart Failure
Heart Failure
Heart Failure is not a diagnosis in itself, rather a collection of symptoms that...
Medicolegal
Medicolegal Essentials
A medico-legal quick-start guide by Dr Udvitha Nandasoma (MDU Head of advisory services) Overseas...
Anaemia
Anaemia
Perhaps the most common blood test you will review daily will be the FBC (full blood...
Mental Capacity
Mental Capacity
Mental Capacity is the ability to make your own decisions at the time at which the...
Mental Health Act
Sections of the Mental Health Act 1983/2007
What is the MHA? It is legislation that governs patients’ Compulsory detention Treatment Discharge Aftercare It...
Chest X-Rays
Chest X-Rays
In this article, we focus on the interpretation of a CXR. Have a low threshold to...
Student Loan
Student Loans - should you repay early?
Student loans are a Government-run scheme in the UK and the most recent plan (Plan...
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blocked blood vessel in your lungs, most often due...
Orthogeriatrics
Orthogeriatrics
Fragility fractures in the elderly As a junior doctor on call, in geriatrics or in...
Sore Throat
Sore Throat
One of the most common A&E presentations is a sore throat, and while sore throat...
Nephrotic-syndrome cover
Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is rare but is often misdiagnosed resulting in delayed diagnosis...
Referrals
Referrals
Often one of the scariest things you can do as you will most likely be speaking to...
Syncope
Syncope
From the Greek: Syn: together & kopein: to cut - referring to a block in blood supply...
NHS Pension
NHS Pension Scheme (2015)
This article is supplementary to the webinar on the same subject, which you might...
Urinary Retention
Urinary Retention
Urinary retention can be acute or chronic. When acute it occurs within a number of...
Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia
Serum calcium concentration is tightly regulated between 2.1-2.6mmol/L. Severe hypercalcaemia...
Transfusion
Transfusion
In this article, we will go through the three most common scenarios you will encounter....
Palliative
Palliative Care
Dying is a natural process and unfortunately, something that we all come across in...
Common Skin Issues
Common Skin Issues
Dermatology is a vast topic that junior doctors often find daunting. Do read our...
Haematuria
Haematuria
You will regularly see patients with blood in their urine, most often picked up incidentally...
Describing Skin Lesions
Describing Skin Lesions
It is quite common for you to need to describe rashes for documentation purposes,...
General Practice
Applying to General Practice
GP training is one of the most popular pathways. In this article, we discuss how...
Microbiology Discussions
Microbiology Discussions
A lot of your time as an FY1 will be spent on the phone to various other specialities....
Work-Life Balance
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a topic that has become increasingly prevalent over the past...
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Pain
When you are on call, you will often get a bleep about a patient with abdominal pain....
Clock
Working Less Than Full Time
Working LTFT in FY1/FY2 Working LTFT can be a great way to improve your work-life...
Bowel Obstruction
Bowel Obstruction
Bowel obstruction is a common reason for admission or complication of patients under...
Gallstone
Gallstone Disease
Patients regularly present under the acute take with gallstone disease. The aim of...
Handover
Handover
Handover occurs between shifts to ensure everyone is up to speed with patients. The...
Hypernatraemia
Hypernatraemia
Hypernatraemia is defined as a sodium above 145 mmol/L with severe being more than...
Mortgages
Mortgages for Doctors and NHS Professionals
Getting onto the property ladder is becoming increasingly difficult for first-time...
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
In this article, we will focus on more practical concerns when managing a patient...
Occupational Medicine
Applying to Occupational Medicine
Occupation medicine is a fantastic specialty and one with a huge variety of opportunities....
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax
A pneumothorax is defined as the abnormal collection of air between the visceral...
Palpitations
Palpitations
Palpitations can be described as the sensation of an abnormally received heartbeat....
Cannula
Paediatrics: Venepuncture & Cannulation
This article will discuss how to take blood and cannulate patients in the paediatric...
Morbidity & Mortality Meetings
Morbidity & Mortality Meetings
M&M meetings discuss the outcomes of patients and mortality rates, with the view...
Medical Podcasts
Medical Podcasts that are worth a listen!
We asked on social media what your favourite podcasts were & these were rated...
Gifts
10 Gifts for your Colleagues
As we all rotate so frequently between departments, many of us like to get our seniors...
bilious vomiting cover photo
Bilious Vomiting in the Neonate
“Bilious vomiting” is a common problem you will be asked to review babies for on...
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Applying to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a mouthful (no pun intended), but you may have...
Dealing with a complaint
Dealing with a complaint
Everyone will receive a complaint – this is inevitable. Usually, these are...
Difficult Colleagues
Dealing with difficult colleagues
This is a tricky area to cover as it can be challenging to us both personally and...
Fever in the Returning Traveller
Fever in the Returning Traveller
COVID-19 aside, international travel is easier and more prevalent than ever before,...
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol Withdrawal
Suddenly stopping alcohol intake in patients who have been drinking heavily for prolonged...
Death Certificate
Death Certification
After a patient has died you may be asked to complete the death certificate. It may...
Frailty
Frailty Syndromes
What is frailty? A state of increased vulnerability to poor resolution of homeostasis...
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
In this article, we will present several common scenarios involving Parkinson’s disease...
Cannula
Cannulation
Cannulation is a procedure regularly undertaken which involves threading a plastic...
Compartment Syndrome
Compartment Syndrome
Acute Compartment Syndrome is one of the few orthopaedic emergencies. If missed,...
Asthma
Acute Asthma
You are unlikely to be expected to make decisions about long term asthma management,...
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. Features include airway...
Homes
Understanding Types of Homes
Patients may live or be discharged to a wide variety of social care settings and...
Saving Accounts
Savings Accounts
In this article, I will be discussing the different types of savings accounts and...
Bradyarrythmias
Bradyarrhythmias
Bradyarrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms with a pulse rate of <60 beats per...
Red Eye
Red Eye
Red eye is one of the most common eye presentations you will encounter. Whilst many...
E Coli
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is a very common complaint and may be the reason for a patient’s admission,...
Performing Arterial Blood Gases
Performing Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
Thanks to Geeky Medics for an excellent video demonstration Equipment Gloves Alcohol...
Dementia
Dementia
As an FY1 in hospital, you will come across lots of patients with dementia. They...
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition characterised by the inflammation of the pancreas. These...
Headache
Headache
Acute headache is a common complaint that you’ll see whilst on the wards or...
Neutropenic Sepsis
Neutropenic Sepsis
Please read an overview of the management of sepsis before reading this article. Neutropenic...
Appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a one of the most common abdominal emergencies worldwide. Your aim...
Careers Advice
Careers Advice
FY1 is a great opportunity to explore new specialties and start to gain an idea of...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a relapsing and remitting inflammatory...
Plastic Surgery
A Career in Plastic Surgery
If you ask most people (medics included!) what they think of when you say plastic...
Dialysis
Dialysis Patients
There is an increasing prevalence of end-stage kidney disease and it is therefore...
Credit Score
The Credit Score
In this article, we talk about what the credit score means, how it affects you &...
Back Pain
Back Pain
In this article, we cover the assessment and management of back pain. This article...
Opiate Withdrawal
Opiate Withdrawal
As doctors, you will frequently see patients with opiate dependence. It isn’t...
Bullying
Bullying and Undermining - Changing Culture
Welcome to FY1. In your first few months, you will find your learning curve is steep...
Interpreting CSF Results
Interpreting CSF Results
Understanding how to do an LP and interpret the results is an essential skill for...
Geriatric Medicine
Applying to Geriatric Medicine
Within Geriatric Medicine you are always working as part of a multidisciplinary team...
Paediatric Prescribing
Paediatrics: Prescribing
As an FY1 it is likely that you will manage paediatric patients during their admission,...
Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal Bleeding
One of the most common obstetric/gynaecological presentations in a hospital/GP setting...
Rheumatology
Lower Limb X-Ray Interpretation
In the webinar below, Dr Joe Kang (radiology registrar) provides a structured approach...
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important aspect of a patient’s health and is overlooked during medical...
Eye History & Exam
Eye History & Exam
This is intended for junior doctors on the ward or in ED, covering how to approach...
Infective Endocarditis
Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis (IE) is relatively rare in the UK. However, delays in diagnosis...
Hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, whilst an infrequently encountered issue during foundation, is a high-risk...
Paediatrics_ Clerking & Discharge
Paediatrics: Clerking & Discharge tips
As an FY1 it is likely that you will manage paediatric patients during their admission,...
UTI
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in adults are extremely common in both primary and...
image1
CT Chest Interpretation
In the webinar below, Dr Dexter Valencia (interventional radiology registrar) provides...
Choosing your Future Career
Choosing your Future Career
What does your future hold? Have you thought of a specialty that you want to pursue?...
Dental Traumatology
Introduction to Dental Traumatology for A&E
This article aims to give basic information on the assessment of dental trauma to...
Chronic Kidney Disease
Managing patients with CKD
In whichever specialty you work, you will encounter large numbers of patients with...
Clot
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombosis) forms...
Current Accounts
Current Accounts
This article summarises some key tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your...
SFP - Introduction to Interview
Specialised Foundation Programme - Introduction to interview
The Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP – formerly known as the AFP or academic...
Duke-Elder Exam
Study Tips for the Duke-Elder Undergraduate Prize Exam
The Duke-Elder Undergraduate Prize Exam is an optional competitive exam run by the...
Respiratory Distress
Respiratory Distress
Written by Dr Rebecca Evans, ST3 Paediatrics One of the most common presentations...
Essential for FY1
Prepare for FY1 Guide by Specialty
This amazing guide was created by so many amazing doctors like yourself helping each...
Spinal Cord
Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal cord compression occurs when there is compression of the spinal cord or cauda...
enterocolite-necrotizzante-neonato-RX-1-750x430
Necrotising Enterocolitis
Necrotising enterocolitis is one of the most common neonatal surgical emergencies...
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular Disease
Diverticulae can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract but are more common...
Haematological emergencies
Haematological emergencies
In this article, we give an overview of the most important and serious haematological...
Groin Lumps
Groin Lumps
The groin, also known as the inguinal region, extends from the anterior superior...
Coding
Clinical Coding
If you’ve ever wondered how hospitals generate income from the work you do...
Airway
Difficult Airway Patients
As a doctor, you may come across patients with complex airways. They should be found...
Swollen Joint
Acutely Swollen Joint
There are three joint pain calls you might receive whilst you’re on call or...
Duke-Elder Exam
How to Be Prepared for the MSRA
The Multiple Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based exam increasingly...
Endocrinology
Thyroid Disease
As a junior, you will frequently see patients who potentially have thyroid dysfunction....
HIV
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a species of lentivirus that can infect humans...
Consenting Children and Adolescents
Paediatrics: Communication & Consent
As an FY1 you will likely manage paediatric patients during their admission, often...
Refeeding Syndrome
Refeeding Syndrome
Defined as a collection of electrolyte abnormalities associated with a massive intracellular...
Mental Health 1
Psychosis
Psychosis refers to patients suffering a loss of contact with reality. It affects...
Communicating with Relatives
Communicating with Relatives
We commonly find ourselves needing to communicate with the next of kin & relatives....
Visual Loss
Sudden Visual Loss
Loss of vision can be a scary symptom for patients to experience, and a scary presentation...
Injury
Safeguarding History – The Basics
Children are vulnerable. Unfortunately, child abuse does happen, and it has a significant...
Junior Doctor Pay
How much do junior doctors earn?
Overview of how much junior doctors earn with a broad range of salaries depending...
Psychotropic medication
Psychotropic medication
Psychotropic medication includes some of the most commonly prescribed medication...
Kidney Stone
Kidney Stones
Given how frequently patients present with renal colic, it is helpful for FY1s to...
Loan
Consumer Loans
It’s important for healthcare professionals to have an understanding of the...
Stock wound photo
Upper Limb X-ray Interpretation
In the webinars below, Dr June Lau & Dr Henry de Boer (radiology registrars)...
Epistaxis
Epistaxis
Epistaxis is a common presentation, especially amongst the young and elderly population....
SFP - Academic Station
Specialised Foundation Programme - Academic Station
The academic station generally begins with a personal question and is your opportunity...
Sharps Injuries
Sharps Injuries
Sharps injuries happen when you least expect them. You can’t always prevent them...
PEG Tubes
PEG Tubes
PEG tubes are used as long term feeding options (and medication administration) for...
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by repeated pancreatic inflammation. This leads...
Notifiable Diseases
Notifiable Diseases
As a junior doctor, it is your statutory duty as a medical professional to alert...
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell diseases are a disorder of haemoglobin affecting red blood cells. This...
SFP - Clinical Station
Specialised Foundation Programme - Clinical Station
You will have a total of 10 minutes of interactive time. Prior to the station, you...
Gynaecology Assessment & Common Disorders
Gynaecology Assessment & Common Disorders
As gynaecology issues uncommonly present on the ward, many doctors have difficulties...
Self Harm
Self Harm
The most common place you will see a patient who has self-harmed is in ED, where...
Hypomagnesaemia
Hypomagnesaemia
The UK Medicines Information group have provided excellent guidance on...
Lumbar Puncture
Lumbar Puncture
A lumbar puncture uses a fine needle inserted between the vertebrae in the lower...
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis
Introduction Viral infection in children 0-2 years of age (but most commonly <...
Eye Drops
Overview of eye drops
Medicines reconciliation is the process of accurately listing a person’s medicines....
Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer types seen in the western world....
ring-enhancing-lesion-ct-brain
CT Head Interpretation
In the webinar below, Dr Sam Kular (interventional radiology fellow) provides a structured...
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
SVC syndrome is an oncological emergency. There is obstruction of the superior vena...
Postnatal
Postnatal Patients
The management and review of postnatal women are usually straightforward. There are...
Common Dental Issues
Common Dental Issues
A very quick guide to common issues prompting referrals to maxillofacial surgery...
Hypocalcaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Alongside strengthening bone, calcium is used in the clotting cascade, in muscle...
Paediatric Chest Pain
Paediatric Chest Pain
Most of the time, chest pain in children originates from a benign cause. However,...
Mental Health 2
Mood (affective) disorders
In this article, we cover depressive disorders, bipolar affective disorder and schizoaffective...
Consenting Children and Adolescents
Consenting Children and Adolescents
The rules on consenting children and adolescents can seem a complex business. Putting...
Mental Health 3
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety is a commonly experienced symptom as part of the body’s reaction to...
Arthralgia
Arthralgia
There are three joint pain calls you might receive whilst you’re on call or...
Hypophosphataemia
Hypophosphataemia
Hypophosphatemia is a serum phosphate concentration < 2.5 mg/dL (0.81...
Benign Anorectal Pathology
Benign Anorectal Pathology
In this article, we cover common benign anorectal pathologies including haemorrhoids,...
Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer
Skin cancers have one of the highest global incidences of any type of cancer. Early...
Illness
Coping with illness
Important things to remember You will get sick. That is life. You’re surrounded...
Rehabilitation Medicine
Applying to Rehabilitation Medicine
Rehabilitation medicine is a holistic specialty in which you spend a great deal of...
Diplopia
Diplopia
Diplopia, also known as double vision, happens when there is a mismatch in images...
Ophthalmology Applications
Ophthalmology Applications: How To Get Ahead While Still at Medical School
Ophthalmology is a hugely popular career. Having the skills and ability to improve...
Medical Education
How to set up a teaching programme
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up local, regional and national...
Foreign Body in Eye
Removal of foreign body from eye
Foreign body in eye is a very common presentation seen in the emergency department....
Tinnitus
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common and debilitating medical symptom encountered in the field of...
Macular Degeneration
Dry and Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
Introduction With an increase in the ageing population globally, we will be seeing...
Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions
Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adverse drug reactions (ADR) as “any...
GMC Registration
GMC Registration after PLAB 2
Congratulations, if you’ve made it this far, that means you have either passed...
Hypocortisolism
Adrenal Crisis & Hypocortisolism
Cortisol is the body’s natural steroid (glucocorticoid) which helps maintain blood...
Tachyarrhythmias
Tachyarrhythmias
Tachyarrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms with a pulse rate of >100 beats per...
Australia
Thinking about Australia?
Junior Doctors in the UK are increasingly moving to Australia after FY1, for FY3...
Leadership
Leadership
The impact you have on yourself and the impact you have on people around you Although...
Cataracts
Introduction to Cataracts
A cataract is “a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent...
sandpaper-rash
Group A Strep - What you need to know
Introduction Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a gram positive cocci usually found...
Referrals
Financial Tips for IMGs
This article will go over the costs for international medical graduates associated...
Covid
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Covid-19 is taking a huge emotional toll on everyone. The usual work-life balance tips...
wheeze-in-pre-school-children-web
Pre-School Wheeze
Introduction Affects children under the age of 5 years old There tends to be...
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant Cell Arteritis
What is it? GCA (Giant cell arteritis) or temporal arteritis is a well known Ophthalmology...
Ophthalmology Applications
Post Operative Cataract Complications
Cataract Surgery: A Brief Introduction Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible...
250px-Maggie_Simpson
Neonatal Jaundice
Jaundice in the newborn is a relatively common presentation, typically seen on postnatal...
Myocarditis
Myocarditis
Myocarditis (derived from ‘myocardium’ = cardiac muscle, and -itis = inflammation)...
seal
Croup
Croup is one of the most common winter illnesses we see in paediatrics and rarely...
Liver-
Managing a patient with decompensated liver cirrhosis
Introduction Patients with liver disease are common in the UK. Since 1970, mortality...
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Getting Started in General Practice
Many FY2 doctors spend time in General Practice as part of the Foundation Programme....
Viral-exanthem-2
Common Viral Infections (exanthem) in Paediatrics
Viral infections are extremely common in paediatrics and a common presentation to...
Orthopaedics
Open Fractures
Introduction Clinical Definition An open fracture is when the broken bone breaks...
Gastroenterology in Primary Care
Gastroenterology in Primary Care
INTRODUCTION This article covers common gastroenterological presenting complaints...
Ophthamology
Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma
What is it? A sudden increase in intraocular pressure, which can present as an...
Referral Cheat Sheet
Referral Cheat Sheet
Our referral cheat sheet is our most popular resource with over 50,000 downloads!...
Junior Doctor Pay Calculator
Doctor's Pay Calculator 2023
We’ve created a pay calculator to help you better understand your salary, how...
pleural effusion
Pleural effusion
As a foundation doctor, shortness of breath is one of the commonest symptoms you...
Constipation 5
Paediatric Constipation
Constipation is a very common cause of abdominal pain and recurrent presentations...
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that has been used in psychiatry since...
Credit Cards
Credit Cards
This article will cover the different types of credit cards, the main things to look...
image-2
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by the irreversible...
Ophthamology
Chemical Eye Injuries
What is it? Chemical injuries of the eye are ocular emergencies that necessitate...
Ophthamology
Orbital Compartment Syndrome
No matter what time of the day it is, this is an ophthalmic emergency and requires...
Exam
A guide to passing MRCP Part 2 written
The MRCP part 2 exam is a multiple choice, best-of-five written exam with 2, 3 hour...
IV fluids
Prescribing IV Fluids
There are certain situations where you need to prescribe IV fluids which vary from...
older-lady-in-hospital
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
In people over the age of 65 years, 1 in 11 will have a diagnosis of dementia. Dementia...
BRUE
Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE)
BRUE's are a common presentation for young babies and can be a huge concern for parents....
symptoms_kawasaki-disease-1
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease is a rare but serious condition in children which should always...
History
How to take a psychiatric history
Psychiatry, as a specialty is unique in that diagnostic methods, rely very heavily...
Fluid Balance
Fluid Balance
Almost every patient admitted to hospital receives IV fluids at some point in their...
OCD image
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
The psychiatric condition obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is estimated to be...
Core Surgical Training
Applying to Core Surgical Training (CST)
Surgical training has a variety of work to get involved in as well as having many...
Infantile-Haemangioma-1
Infantile Haemangioma
Infantile Haemangiomas are common skin lesions seen in paediatrics. This article...
Audits & Quality Improvement Projects
Audits & Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs)
Audits & QIPs are a way to identify issues, drive changes and assess the effects...
Falls
Falls
As an F1, you will quite frequently get bleeped to review a patient who has had a...
Anaesthetics
Applying to Anaesthetics
Anaesthetics is a very hands-on specialty. Day-to-day work will have a mix of practical...
floppy-baby-9
Assessing the floppy baby
A "floppy" baby may present in many different ways and there is a long list of differentials...
Drowsy
Reduced GCS
As a doctor, you will frequently be called for a drowsy patient. They can vary from...
Ranking Foundation Jobs
Ranking Foundation Jobs
If you’re worried about not getting your top choice, you shouldn’t worry....
Prescribing Safety Assessment
Passing the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA)
The PSA is aimed at final year medical students and those graduating overseas to...
Medical Education
How to teach medical students
Balancing your workload as a junior doctor whilst teaching medical students effectively...
HFM 6
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand foot and mouth disease is a very common illness in children which commonly causes...
Seizures
Seizures
Scenario: You are bleeped by one of the staff nurses to review a patient on the orthopaedic...
Self-Discharge
Self-discharge
Frequently patients wish to self-discharge from hospitals. This article pertains...
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Pain in Children
Abdominal pain in paediatrics can have a wide range of causes, some being innocent...
Ward Round
Surviving Ward Rounds
It takes time to get used to the ward round. Particularly, when patients are being...
Payslips
Payslips & Income Tax
Each month, your pay and any deductions will be summarised to you in the form of...
On Call Tips
On Call Tips
FY1s are usually most apprehensive about being on call, but it is also the shift...
ePortfolio
e-Portfolio
Your e-Portfolio is an online tool to gather and store evidence of progression throughout...
Paediatrics
Applying to Paediatrics
On the one hand, you wear a Disney lanyard, with a pocket stuffed with stickers,...
Leave
Leave
As a doctor, there are different types of leave you will come across during the year...
Aggressive
Management of the Aggressive Patient
At times as a junior doctor, you will be faced with the management of patients displaying...
Discharge Planning
Discharge Planning
It is important for junior doctors to understand what the discharge planning process...
Insulin
Hyperglycaemia
Hyperglycaemia is something you will encounter frequently. In this article, we focus...
Exam
Preparing for the Situational Judgement Test
Preparing for the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) exam can be quite daunting. It...
Emergencies
Deteriorating Patient
The deteriorating patient is often the worst nightmare for new FY1s.  I remember...
Maximise Points for Specialty Applications
Maximise Points for Specialty Applications
With the recent removal of additional degrees counting for points towards all specialty...
Constipation
Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common complaints in hospital, especially on the...
Prescribing image
Prescribing in Old Age Psychiatry
The general prescribing principles from both Old Age Psychiatrists and Geriatricians...
Writing SLEs
Writing SLEs
SLEs are supervised learning events that include Mini-CEX (mini clinical evaluation...
Hyponatraemia
Hyponatraemia
Hyponatraemia (serum Sodium <135 mmol/L) is one of the most common electrolyte...
Claiming Tax Relief
Claiming Tax Relief
This article is about claiming tax relief on essential things for your job –...
PR Bleeding
PR Bleeding
The first thing when called is to identify whether the bleeding is truly a lower...
Tile art
Mind The Bleep: The Podcast
Mental health and well-being are taboo subjects for medical students and doctors,...
Breaks and Burnout
Breaks and Burnout
When I left medical school, I thought my only difficulty would be the actual medicine,...
Mobile Apps
Essential Apps
Here’s a list of apps that are in order of how essential we find them. There’s...
AXR
Abdominal X-rays
The advantages of AXRs are far less radiation to patients & that they’re...
Risk
Risk assessment
Determining the risk of harm to the patient, and sometimes to others, is an essential...
Prescribing analgesia
Prescribing analgesia
When assessing pain, ensure you begin by taking a history to characterise the pain...
Mental State Examination
Mental State Examination
The mental state examination (MSE) is an observational assessment of a patient’s...
feb con
Febrile Convulsions
Febrile convulsions are a common presentation in paediatrics. This article will you...
HSP cover image
Henoch Schonlein Purpura
Henochn Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a common vasculitis in paediatrics that presents...
Clerking Patients
Clerking Patients: A few tips
Here we assume you know the basics, and instead we focus on the common pitfalls with...
Paracetamol Overdose
Paracetamol Overdose
Paracetamol overdose is a common presentation in A&E and so you may often find...
Common Prescribing Errors
Common Prescribing Errors
When I supervise and teach FY1s, prescribing is among the top three things they are...
Radiology
Applying to Radiology
Radiology is a very exciting and innovative field of medicine. Radiologists have...
Interpreting Blood Films
Interpreting Blood Films
A blood film looks at our three cell types (erythrocytes, leukocytes & platelets)...
Blood Gas
ABG Interpretation
In this article, we will look at more practical aspects of how to read an ABG and...
Psychiatry
Applying to Psychiatry Training
Do you have an interest in human behaviour? Did you go into medicine to speak to...
Discharge letters
Discharge letters: hints & tips
Writing a discharge summary is a task you are likely to carry out every day, and...
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Applying to Obstetrics and Gynaecology
In this article, we discuss why you should apply to O&G training, how to build your...
Blood Tests
Venepuncture
Equipment Gloves Hand sanitiser Alcohol wipe Tourniquet Cotton wool/ gauze Needle Syringe...
Locums
Locums as an FY1
Finally earning a wage for all your hard work is great and locum work can be a great...
Acute Kidney Injury
Acute Kidney Injury
AKI is very common affecting around 20% of inpatients & it is important to recognise...

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