David Mummery reflects on the professional and political waste land faced by UK general practice and on 'The Waste Land' by TS Eliot
This poem by Kathleen Wenaden is the one she doesn't want to write. It is one that 'needs to be written, deep down, lived'.
In this poem Kathleen Wenaden considers compassion fatigue, a topic of some importance to GPs. When faced with 'an urge for fixing, for making better', is there really 'nothing left to give'?
In her poem, Kathleen Wenaden describes the inequality she sees in her Hackney practice. She considers too burnout and the strain of working in general practice. But is there nevertheless some positivity to be found here?
Around 2000 years ago St Paul taught that love for others was the most important virtue, much greater than knowledge or wealth. Here, Fraser Barratt and Scott A Murray MBE have adapted his memorable words to help inform and guide busy doctors
This beautifully-produced, sensitive memoir and art history begins with a quote from Euripides, capturing the yearning of anyone who has been bereaved, “Come back! Even as a shadow, even as a dream”.
In the summer before COVID-19 it the UK, I read three works of fiction (one after another) that changed my perspective on the world and our place in it: The Wall, The World according to Anna, and The Ministry for Future
The recent release of “Queen Charlotte”, the Bridgerton spin-off series on Netflix, has reignited interest in the illness of King George III. Whilst the series is described as ‘fiction inspired by fact,’ the story of King George leads into the wider
How many of us allow ourselves the possibility that from our vantage point as general practitioners, we may have had our focus so sharpened by years of walking alongside our patients that we might see the benefit of a letter where bland
here’s no appointments, and I’ve waited weeks, To show you my piles, and rash on my cheeks, I’ve also had chest pains, for the last year, And there’s just one more thing, now that I’m here!
I am trying to patch a clinical web over your problem ...Empathetically. Communicating blind. Flushing the darkness systematically with questions ...That dredge the deep... A poem by Rebecca Quinn.
My love for those who could not help themselves was fuelled by passion,
As medicine became my way of helping them with care and compassion.
The winning submission of the Royal Society of Medicine John Fry Prize by Salwa Ahmad.
Mark Pearson and colleagues present a number of powerful poems submitted by participants of long COVID support groups exploring their experience of long COVID.
'I hoped it would be all right...' is a temptation to be resisted, leading to the final bind the researcher find him/herself in as it dawns that all is not all right.
Alexandre Dumas’s 19th century French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, doesn’t usually make the list of standard medical texts but perhaps it should not be so readily dismissed. It captures the spirit of an age when medicine was undergoing a revolution...
"It’s the best show we have seen in years ... " — Polyester elephants on 6 foot plinths, grotesque life-sized cloth dolls, and robotic snakes — it's the return of the Venice Biennale, reviewed by Will Norman
‘Yes dad, a little dash like normal.’ I never knew how to reply. Was he asking a question? Was he just making a statement, did he even want milk in it? Had he forgotten how he had his tea? I never knew
During the UK pandemic lockdowns of 2020–21 an online literary festival was held by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, and the talks are freely available online. Andrew Papanikitas invites readers online and back in time!
Found poetry is created by taking words and phrases from other sources and reframing them - the literary equivalent of a collage. Jessica Watson and Fiona Hamilton demonstrate how the approach can be applied to qualitative research to capture and share experiences
Movies allow health care professionals to immerse themselves in “near-true” experiences that challenge their values and principles. Beatrice Khater and Bassem Saab discuss using The Last King of Scotland in family medicine training at the American University of Beirut
Ben Hoban reflects on general practice as a 'Hero's journey,' but argues that this must be reconciled with the patient narrative. Don your narrative bifocals!
Hannah Weston-Simons shares an ode to her GP colleagues
David Jeffrey suggests that medical teachers will find this book a source of inspiration in encouraging students to engage in empathic relationships with patients and colleagues.
Are you a healthcare professional looking for a creative community of writers? Neil Wilson introduces the Society of Medical Writers
Yathu Maheswaran reflects on what TV 'This is going to hurt' might teach medical trainees
Giles Dawnay reviews the TV adaption of Adam Kay's This is Going to Hurt.
John Launer reflects that Pather Panchali is a masterpiece in its own right but there are particular reasons why GPs might want to find time to watch it. Few other movies show such a profound understanding of family life among people living
John Launer muses on what Mozart's Magic Flute can teach us about family medicine
Today’s younger generation enjoy Harry Potter and Roald Dahl’s books. John Brooks takes us back to the days of John Buchan’s spy adventures, and tells us a little of Buchan's remarkable life and medical history.
The Tate Britain has re-opened! Roger Jones advises us not to miss the Turner Exhibition - maybe life's getting good again!
We might feel we have had a terrible year. Most of the world have had it much worse. Nathaniel Aspray reviews an inspirational film about the origins and early years of Partners In Health, an internationally renowned health charity.
Olivia Baker brings us a special Burns' Night report on Robbie Burns lesser known career as a medical commentator.
This Christmas let us join Professor Deborah Swinglehurst and her husband, Nicholas Edwards, as they present a Schubert lied that they have arranged for guitar and voice.
Two GPs reflect on the impact poetry has had on their practice and how it fits into their lives.
The publication of this new anthology of poems by NHS staff could not have come at a more apposite time. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vital role of the NHS and the dedication of its staff in both community and hospital
We reviewed All the Little Lights in the March 2019 BJGP. A new production is on 12-17th August at the Tristan Bates Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe Season. Lucy Mabbitt, one of the actors and co-producers in the three hander
Written by Lesley Morrison. This year, for the fourth year, all Scottish medical graduates were gifted Tools of the Trade, the little pocket sized book of poetry published by the Scottish Poetry Library and intended to provide support for new doctors
Living in a different culture is exciting and fascinating. But living in Bahrain we do miss “culture” in its other sense. There is a magnificent National Theatre, usually empty, putting on just a few touring shows a year. The nearest opera house
Ahmed Z Kazmi is a doctor and stand-up comedian. If you would like to see his show ‘Doctor in the House’ he will be performing at Brighton Fringe 20-24th May 2016, Hollywood Fringe 19th-26th June 2016 and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 4-14th August 2016.