Penelope Campling worked for the NHS for 40 years as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist and her book uses patient stories to discuss how we can remain holistic and compassionate as clinicians.
In this article we out some issues for consideration for those considering the process of ‘retirement’. We aim to offer some experience to inform others’ thinking, and also to set out issues that bodies such as the RCGP still need to address.
This winter, several long-term issues are coming to a head to create a perfect storm: high fuel prices, poor housing quality, a lack of sustainable energy strategies, and families sliding into low income during a cost of living crisis. Nada Khan reviews
A British newspaper has argued that GPs were given 'record pay rises in Covid pandemic'. Richard Armitage unpicks the truth and the implications of GP earnings and productivity over the last two and half years.
Dr Lieke Koggel tells us all about research into inappropriate PPI prescribing in the Netherlands.
'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.
Rabia Aftab reflects on coming to the UK and growing up in the second Elizabethan age with emblems of national pride
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...
Terry Kemple finds that David Haslam is uniquely placed to reflect on the important questions of modern healthcare. 'Side Effects' calls for clarity about what the focus of healthcare should be, and attempts to describe and address many of the problems of
With 43% of adults currently living with a degree of chronic pain in the UK, It is likely that overprescribing of opioids will continue. An audit of opioid prescribing in general practice inspired me to reflect on how medical education fails to
Nitrous oxide is a popular recreational drug that produces transient but intense feelings of euphoria and disassociation. Nada Khan considers what GPs should know.
Mark Steggles frames the GP workforce crisis as a 'Choose your own adventure'
Dr Simon Fraser joins us on the podcast to talk about treatment burden.
Richard Armitage explores the health implications of adopting imperial units, and finds the prospect quite alarming!
'One does not love breathing.' says Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird. 'Primary care to me is the lungs or heart of the NHS,' Rubia Usman reflects.
The BJGP team are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extend our sympathies to The Royal Family
While it makes no contribution to mortality statistics, the morbidity, economic cost and primary care workload generated by osteoarthritis is of sufficient proportion to render the condition a significant public health problem worthy of urgent investment of resources.
A leaked memo from the UK treasury recently suggested GPs should assess the financial health of their patients and recommend financial support to those in most need. Nada Khan considers some of the arguments and research -discussion welcome!
The government has gained control over the system; doctors have gained the freedom to have a life outside the surgery; and patients have gained – at least in theory – unlimited access to textbook medicine, regardless of who provides it. Ben Hoban
Dr Sally Hull joins us to talk about a new study exploring continuity of care.
Richard Armitage discusses the pros and cons of wild swimming in light of the recent discharges of raw sewage into British waterways
Bhupinder Goraya reflects on the clinical consultation from a GP perspective. A courtroom with competing sovereign views?
"This is an important book that covers a great deal of ground relevant to human health and flourishing" — Paquita de Zulueta reviews the second edition of Nigel Crisp's Turning the World Upside Down Again
If a patient has an Adverse Childhood Experiences score of 4 or higher then the risk of multiple health problems, such as cancer, obesity, and heart disease, increases. Giles Dawnay asks, how much, then, of our hard and well-intentioned work is no
Medicines make up 25% of the NHS’ carbon footprint, with some metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) being 3320 times more powerful than CO2. How then can primary care help to reduce emissions caused by inhalers? Joshua Parker explores some options, such as reducing reliability
It may therefore be that the best way to spot the symptoms of serious disease is not always to be looking for them, argues Ben Hoban
The Staff Wellbeing Garden at Frome Medical Practice shows the value of local green spaces, enriching the local biodiversity while providing a relaxing environment for both staff and patients. Here, Charlotte Carson, Green Health Connector, describes recent developments to the garden, including
Though it is widely known that kidney donation is common among living donors who are family or friends, there appears to be lower awareness of kidney donation along a non-directed pathway. Here, Rich Armitage describes the process of becoming a non-directed altruistic
"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
Doctors who find more human sense, belonging and fulfilment in their work are, almost certainly, able to provide better care. But our serial reforms have disregarded, then abandoned, a time-honoured cornerstone of practice. David Zigmond explores the tragic revival of continuity of
Serena Strickland reflects on the effect of an avian visitor on a GP practice
What Rupal Shah & colleagues are proposing is not whimsical or theoretical. We need to address the broader context or practice so that connection, meaning & values can flourish. The next generation of GPs needs to be inspired & adequately resourced to
Richard Armitage argues that cyber-attack pose an apocalyptic risk to UK primary healthcare
Can any guide to financial aspects of medical practice from the doctor’s perspective ever claim to be ‘friendly'? Andrew Papanikitas finds this book to be useful. The book collects an up-to-date set of facts about things such as what a set of
"I strongly recommend this book to my colleagues both in primary and secondary care" – George C Moncrieff, Chair of the Dermatology Council for England until 2018, reviews the second edition of Jonathan Bowling's Diagnostic Dermoscopy: The Illustrated Guide
Joel Brown argues that charging patients £10 for missed appointments in UK general practice is misguided, unfair, and harmful to both patients and health service.
Nada Khan reviews the 'Women’s Health Strategy for England,' which contains ambitious goals for general practice. Are these goals sustainable and sincere?
Peter McNelly provides an introduction to the role of the mental health practitioner in general practice, and how they can help reduce the workload of GPs.
It is important that GPs are able to recognise this phenomenon, and to not dismiss the SMI lifestyle as a harmless pursuit for frivolous Gen-Z-ers. Richard Armitage unpacks the health implications.
‘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