wardround 2xi7

This week’s read and think had been The homeless man on morning rounds, an essay by J Lowenstein. If you found it interesting , you might want to read some of his collected essays in The Midnight Meal.

For next Tuesday I would like you to read Thoughts for new medical students at a new medical school, Richard Smith BMJ 2003;327:1430-1433 (20 December),

…and tell me which is your favourite box in the paper.

This week’s two minute tutorials were themed around respiratory problems, addressing the respiratory history (nicely done SS, don’t forget occupational history); PFTs (needed a bit more work on transfer factor etc, KM); ABGs (good clear talk AA; NIV (you should have been able to explain why BiPAP helps, HA); The assessment of a breathless patient (quite rightly focussed on practical issues such as beginning treatment and assessment at the same time, getting help, IV access etc, but was a four minute talk in two minutes, JB).

For next week the theme is “The use of…”

Warfarin HA
Heparin JR
Gentamicin SS
Amiodarone JB
Thrombolytics HJ (are they really fibrinolytics?)

Two minutes please, keep it concise yet precise. Arm yourself, intellectually, to ward off those probing questions.

Interesting topics this week

Hyponatraemia again
Vasculitis

MJM