How to catch the cancer diagnosis early
Safety netting is often viewed as a consultation technique (to ensure timely review of a patient's condition), but it is particularly important for conditions such as suspected cancer where patients may present infrequently and symptoms can be common and non-specific, such as pain or fatigue.
Tinnitus and the GP
The British Tinnitus Association is trying to raise awareness of tinnitus this week, in Tinnitus Awareness Week. In a recent interview with their Chief Executive, David Stockdale, he made it clear that no matter how hard we as GPs work to help our patients with severe tinnitus, their perception is that they aren't getting the support they need.
Obesity - why doctors need to start conversation with patients
Globally, the average adult today is three times more likely to be obese compared to the average adult in 1975. So, how can we tackle this problem? As a doctor, you really need to start this conversation with your patients.
12 days of a GP's Christmas
A few years ago I wrote my blog on the theme of the carol 'The 12 days of Christmas'. Here is my updated version for 2016...
The question of too much medicine
Choosing Wisely UK is part of a global initiative aimed at improving conversations between patients and their doctors and nurses. A study last year found that 82% of doctors said they had prescribed or carried out a treatment which they knew to be unnecessary.
Mental health in young people: The time of their lives?
A recently published study into the state of mental health in England found quite alarming evidence that more young people are experiencing mental health problems than ever before, and particularly young women aged 16 to 24.
Managing uncertainty
When considering GP, there are just two prerequisites; you must like people and you must be comfortable with uncertainty.
Don't panic!
After years of late-night revision sessions, exams, more exams and worrying about results, you experience the joy of finally achieving your goal; you made it. You're a doctor.
The A-word: Autism
Declaration of interest: I have two teenaged sons and several other family members who are on the autistic spectrum. My sister-in-law works for a large city's autistic support service. We have all negotiated health and education services for the last 16 years.
Antibiotic Armageddon
Antibiotics have been one of the major advances in medicine over the last century and have (with vaccination) led to the near eradication of diseases such as tuberculosis in the developed world. Unfortunately, their effectiveness and easy access
Male infertility: the driver behind our team's new study
Britain is facing an epidemic of childlessness with one in six couples unable to conceive and men having poor-quality sperm causing over half of the problem. That is why we decided to undertake what I feel is an important study which is being lead by our own well-respected UK expect in fertility, Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology in the Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine.