Junior Doctors - Your Life in their Hands (BBC3)

[stef92]

Wow… this is one hell of a tv series! I watched it last year and it really motivated me to do Medicine at Uni, and provided loads of inspiration for my interviews…

Now having started my very basic clinical training, in fact the stethoscopes came out on Friday, I can attempt to take a decent history, and perform a general/systematic examination now… But then to see what some of them are having to do literally within a month or two after leaving medical school, it is just scary! Although I just passed all my recent exams, there is clearly a LONG way to go!

Saying that though, part of me can't wait! I just got my NHS ID Badge for the start of my ward rounds next week! Won't be doing a lot, but just to be experiencing the job first hand and examining a few patients (for practice, not diagnosis) is going to be so much of a learning curve and good fun too!

Well worth a watch, even for just half an episode to see what it is like on the other side of the NHS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013fdbd

 

[AmandaJR]

I enjoy it more than the 1st series and have warmed more to these doctors. I love medical programmes and watch them avidly and amazing how I can diagnose now

It is so scary though as they feel so ill prepared really to actually treat patients despite all the theory they've learnt. Really feel for the ones trying to get their first canula (sp) in and after several stabs being told to get lost by patients.

Good TV.

 

[stef92]

I enjoy it more than the 1st series and have warmed more to these doctors. I love medical programmes and watch them avidly and amazing how I can diagnose now

It is so scary though as they feel so ill prepared really to actually treat patients despite all the theory they've learnt. Really feel for the ones trying to get their first canula (sp) in and after several stabs being told to get lost by patients.

Good TV.

Problem with the canulas etc. is that we don't get enough practice with them on real people. The only real practice on a person we would get is with each other! There will be the odd occasion when simulated patients come in, and there are simulated arms/computer programmes that are available… but it is nothing like the real thing.

I think the reason why they feel so ill prepared, is because although they have passed all of their exams, and no what to do, nobody ever gets 100% and things go wrong. So, when it is real and there are people on the line, it is daunting… It is a bit like being taught how to ride a bike, then told to go and race in the tour de France. You know what you are meant to be doing and can do it, but you are no way near as good as everyone else. When you start and are constantly trying to keep up with people and also keep others happy/alive

 

[PhilTheFragger]

This is what "reality" TV should be about

Not some tarts from Essex or some Rich sloanes fron Chelsea

But real people doing something realy interesting and challenging and who could be treating YOU in a couple of years.

Very good TV, Highly watchable.

Fragger

 

[AmandaJR]

Problem with the canulas etc. is that we don't get enough practice with them on real people. The only real practice on a person we would get is with each other! There will be the odd occasion when simulated patients come in, and there are simulated arms/computer programmes that are available… but it is nothing like the real thing.

I think the reason why they feel so ill prepared, is because although they have passed all of their exams, and no what to do, nobody ever gets 100% and things go wrong. So, when it is real and there are people on the line, it is daunting… It is a bit like being taught how to ride a bike, then told to go and race in the tour de France. You know what you are meant to be doing and can do it, but you are no way near as good as everyone else. When you start and are constantly trying to keep up with people and also keep others happy/alive

I agree and it was no way meant as a criticism rather than admiration at their courage to keep going and practice despite the "failures" and stroppy patients. If I ever get asked my permission for a junior doctor to sit in on a consultation and/or provide treatment I always say yes as they have to learn somehow.

It did remind me of ER (probably my favourite TV show ever) when they kind of bragged about getting to do a chest drain or similar "cool" procedure !

 

[stef92]

I agree and it was no way meant as a criticism rather than admiration at their courage to keep going and practice despite the "failures" and stroppy patients. If I ever get asked my permission for a junior doctor to sit in on a consultation and/or provide treatment I always say yes as they have to learn somehow.

It did remind me of ER (probably my favourite TV show ever) when they kind of bragged about getting to do a chest drain or similar "cool" procedure !

Oh sorry, I wasn't taking it as a dig at all! Just explaining why. It is cool though, because you have waited 5 years to get to do these things… Bit sad, but they are the ones who will make good doctors as they have a passion, and if that is combined with skill, = the perfect combination!

I already do it with my friends… we could go on for hours about how we measured a pulse for the first time or hearing bronchial breathing etc.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

This is what "reality" TV should be about

Not some tarts from Essex or some Rich sloanes fron Chelsea

But real people doing something realy interesting and challenging and who could be treating YOU in a couple of years.

Very good TV, Highly watchable.

Fragger

Bosh!

I'd like to second this man's above comment.

 

[AmandaJR]

Oh sorry, I wasn't taking it as a dig at all! Just explaining why. It is cool though, because you have waited 5 years to get to do these things… Bit sad, but they are the ones who will make good doctors as they have a passion, and if that is combined with skill, = the perfect combination!

I already do it with my friends… we could go on for hours about how we measured a pulse for the first time or hearing bronchial breathing etc.

Good - didn't want you to think I meant it was scary as a patient that they were ill prepared rather than it was damned scary for them at the start

The human body is so amazing and complex. When I trained as a PT we had to learn to use a sphygmomanometer (cool word!) and I loved it - fascinating.

 

[stef92]

sphygmomanometer (cool word!)

Not going to lie… I had to look that up!

 

[AmandaJR]

Not going to lie… I had to look that up!

I had to google it to get the spelling

 

[USER1999]

Mrs mog is a doctor. I hope you enjoy it more than she did. After 5 years or more of study, and 5 years of house jobs etc, she realised it was not the job she thought it would be. At least you probably know more of what it would be like, and the hours will be slightly more realistic nowadays. Back then a bad weekend at work would be being on her feet from Friday morning til Monday evening. She moved into industry, and is much happier for it. Good luck with your studies, and long may the enthusiasm last.

 

[stef92]

Mrs mog is a doctor. I hope you enjoy it more than she did. After 5 years or more of study, and 5 years of house jobs etc, she realised it was not the job she thought it would be. At least you probably know more of what it would be like, and the hours will be slightly more realistic nowadays. Back then a bad weekend at work would be being on her feet from Friday morning til Monday evening. She moved into industry, and is much happier for it. Good luck with your studies, and long may the enthusiasm last.

Yeah, it is way better but it still isn't ideal… We had some First Aid training/lectures from FY2's (2nd year dr's) and they looked like death… they had been working 12 hour night shifts for 13 days solid… get a day off then back into work… but, I guess it is just something you have to do. At the moment there is always the light at the end of the tunnel that is that I reckon the benefits will out way the negatives… Hopefully!

 

[Yerman]

Mrs mog is a doctor. I hope you enjoy it more than she did. After 5 years or more of study, and 5 years of house jobs etc, she realised it was not the job she thought it would be. At least you probably know more of what it would be like, and the hours will be slightly more realistic nowadays. Back then a bad weekend at work would be being on her feet from Friday morning til Monday evening. She moved into industry, and is much happier for it. Good luck with your studies, and long may the enthusiasm last.

Mrs Mog made the smart move, it's a damn sight less glamorous in real life. I worry programs like this sucker bright kids in to debts of £45k+ for a career that is less and less secure and a lifestyle that will chew you up and spit you out if you aren't lucky. At least 3 of those I trained with ended there own lives.

 

[Ethan]

I remember as a junior doctor in the late 80s/early 90s doing long weekends on call. On call meant up and working pretty much the whole time. By Monday evening you were knackered, and you were due back in on Tuesday morning and were on call again on Wednesday. One job I did had up to 127 hours duty a week!. Didn't play any golf that year.

All the overtime hours were paid at 38% of basic. Not basic plus 38%, basic minus 62%! One New Year's Eve night just after midnight, I was sitting in Casualty waiting on a porter to take a patient up to Coronary Care. The porter complained about working when he could have been out for a drink or three, but said well at least he was getting triple and a half time (Sunday, Holiday night, just past midnight). I told him I was getting 38% of basic and after making sure he understood me, he said 'F--- me, I thought you had to be smart to be a doctor!'.

I am now in industry too, in pharmaceutical research and development. If my young sons say they want to do medicine, I will be trying to persuade them not to. Medicine has changed a lot, and mostly not for the better. I had too damn much experience of cannulas and all sorts of stuff that modern junior docs simply don't get.

 

[AmandaJR]

I remember as a junior doctor in the late 80s/early 90s doing long weekends on call. On call meant up and working pretty much the whole time. By Monday evening you were knackered, and you were due back in on Tuesday morning and were on call again on Wednesday. One job I did had up to 127 hours duty a week!. Didn't play any golf that year.

All the overtime hours were paid at 38% of basic. Not basic plus 38%, basic minus 62%! One New Year's Eve night just after midnight, I was sitting in Casualty waiting on a porter to take a patient up to Coronary Care. The porter complained about working when he could have been out for a drink or three, but said well at least he was getting triple and a half time (Sunday, Holiday night, just past midnight). I told him I was getting 38% of basic and after making sure he understood me, he said 'F--- me, I thought you had to be smart to be a doctor!'.

I am now in industry too, in pharmaceutical research and development. If my young sons say they want to do medicine, I will be trying to persuade them not to. Medicine has changed a lot, and mostly not for the better. I had too damn much experience of cannulas and all sorts of stuff that modern junior docs simply don't get.

That is crazy and downright scandalous

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Working in recruitment for an NHS Foundation Trust I get to see a lot of doctors on a daily basis. Whilst I would never for a second doubt their clinical ability, their aptitude for following basic instructions on what paperwork to bring in to prove their ID and right to work, and more scarily, their lack of ability to fill in a simple form (we're talking bank details - nothing 5 years at Med School won't have prepared you for) is nothing short of jaw dropping on occasions.

We get all the F1's coming in each year as meek as anything and within a week they are strutting around the place full of it. Its great to see and I love it when some of them really progress or make names for themselves

 

[USER1999]

I remember as a junior doctor in the late 80s/early 90s doing long weekends on call. On call meant up and working pretty much the whole time. By Monday evening you were knackered, and you were due back in on Tuesday morning and were on call again on Wednesday. One job I did had up to 127 hours duty a week!. Didn't play any golf that year.

All the overtime hours were paid at 38% of basic. Not basic plus 38%, basic minus 62%! One New Year's Eve night just after midnight, I was sitting in Casualty waiting on a porter to take a patient up to Coronary Care. The porter complained about working when he could have been out for a drink or three, but said well at least he was getting triple and a half time (Sunday, Holiday night, just past midnight). I told him I was getting 38% of basic and after making sure he understood me, he said 'F--- me, I thought you had to be smart to be a doctor!'.

I am now in industry too, in pharmaceutical research and development. If my young sons say they want to do medicine, I will be trying to persuade them not to. Medicine has changed a lot, and mostly not for the better. I had too damn much experience of cannulas and all sorts of stuff that modern junior docs simply don't get.

This sounds horribly familiar.