In CS Lewis’s magical classic The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the heroes found a frozen land of frightened animals, where it is, ‘always winter, but never Christmas.' Could this become a metaphor for the 21st century consultation? Andrew Papanikitas unwraps
David Mummery reflects on the professional and political waste land faced by UK general practice and on 'The Waste Land' by TS Eliot
As we approach the end of another year, it’s worth reflecting on Christmases affected by Covid-19 and what we might learn from them as clinicians and as people.
In my 20 years of studying medical generalism, I have seen advanced generalist medicine designed out of medical practice, teaching, and healthcare policy. So, in response, I now lead and help deliver work to restore and reclaim the wisdom of general and
Billed as ‘seven steps to save general practice and safeguard our NHS’, the manifesto reflects the policies the RCGP believes political parties need to take on board to ‘save’ general practice ahead of the next general election. Nada Khan does some unpicking...
Peter McNelly is a mental health nurse and David Fowler is a practice manger in Northern Ireland. They argue that mental health practitioners can be a valuable addition to the multidisciplinary team, if sensibly recruited and deployed.
David Jeffrey argues that clinical curiosity is an essential part of a doctor’s empathy and clinical decision-making. It promotes reflective practice, critical thinking and stimulates lifelong learning.
For something that should be completely unthinkable in our workplace, it is a disturbing truth that sexual misconduct is rife within the NHS. Nada Khan investigates.
When we talk of doctor and patient, we instinctively see both as very separate groups, but stripped back of language and assumed meaning, there ultimately sit two human beings in the same space. The person sitting in the chair telling their story
The General Medical Council’s requirement in its updated guidance Good Medical Practice for doctors to be kind has caused some consternation. How does being kind fit into a professional framework, and is it a luxury or a necessity? Ben Hoban reflects.
This would mean exploring the ideas of Israelis and Palestinians at mass level, listening empathetically and impartially to concerns from both sides, and establishing the realistic expectations of each cohort. A fair, kind, and honest approach...
People with chronic pain need personalised care – an approach offering patients choice and control over their mental and physical health, basing care on what matters to them personally, and focusing on individual strengths and needs. It is possible.
The Prime Minister has proposed new legislation to end cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009. Is the proposed smoking ban as good an idea as it seems?
The way we talk about mental ill health can end up creating a linguistic black box which we see but cannot see inside. How then can we know what to expect from our distressed patients, and how best to help them? Ben
Kathleen Wenaden looks back at the struggles and successes of her Hackney practice, and of how the work of the staff interweaves with the lives of the patients. She considers too the reinvigorating power of creativity and nature as ways for GPs
This issue focusses on the heart and cardiovascular medicine. Life and Times for its part stresses the metaphysical and metaphorical heart with an eclectic smorgasbord of useful, challenging, and entertaining articles. This includes learning from tragedy, a tongue in cheek glossary, and
I don’t know the answer. But I think I’m feeling the same. I’m exhausted, but I won’t tell you that. It’s a conveyor-belt of emotions. Next customer please! Except this is not transactional. You have a story, and it’s my job to
It’s liberating to imagine a world where GP expertise is recognised and valued. We can start right at the beginning of the Deep End GP meetings. Imagine that! A world with no more reports saying “GPs should…” but lots of “Hey, GPs,
To understand childhood aggression, it is important to understand the neuroscience behind the reactions displayed by children. Hannah Milton reviews an unofficial guide for parents.
BJGP editor Euan Lawson was recently asked (again) to discuss ten 10 interesting papers of the last year at the Royal Society of Medicine's general practice and primary care update. Topics include: heavy menstrual bleeding, hypertension management, suicide and inclusion health... and
The BJGP/BJGPLife team will be among the crowds at this year's RCGP annual primary care meeting in Glasgow. However, we've already done some travelling and picked up some tips to share. Catch up with us in Scotland!
'A relational way of working, thinking and designing is one that creates possibility for change, one that creates abundance – our capacity for relationships, like love, is infinite.’ Emilie Couchman reviews a call for radical reform
Giles Dawnay reflects on the tension between left and right brained view of life and how this might affect the general practitioner's clinical gaze.
Lucy Chiddick argues that promoting school attendance is a complex task, best done by those with appropriate expertise. Where GPs engage with the issue there should be appropriate time and care, recognising that there are many drivers of absenteeism and that attendance
The shocking infant murders by nurse Lucy Letby represent a mercifully rare (we think) class of event. These remain extremely difficult to understand, predict or prevent, much as we must try. David Zigmond reflects on the role of commercially corporatised healthcare culture
Why hasn’t the approach of Centene and Babylon worked? And what’s the history behind corporate acquisition of GP surgeries? Nada Khan investigates.
If we look at continuity without considering the wider context of general practice, we may find ourselves being swept out to sea as we gaze longingly back at the beach. Ben Hoban helps us to reflect on the really useful elements of
Vasumathy Sivarajasingam explores domestic abuse PUNs and DENs as a relevant appraisal topic linked to mandatory safeguarding, with links to learning materials, legislation and further articles.
Carter Singh argues that accusing striking doctors of causing harm is disingenuous when there are many critical harms that strikes are attempting to address.
The argument is that, for decades, ‘business friendly’ governments have been allowing private interests to extract vast fortunes from the NHS and that over time the service has been increasingly reformed to make it ready for corporate takeover. This would make our
The Life & Times section this month highlights ways in which we risk missing important aspects of life. Many of the articles also suggest how we can extend and add necessary flexibility to our gaze.
Pregnancy for deaf women, prison mental healthcare, sexual health non-attendance, and compassion
With the potential dismantling of the GP partnership model and the drive for a multiprofessional workforce in primary care, is this the right time to look at shared leadership as a facilitator of positive change?
"The function of a diagnosis is more than to guide treatment planning. It often provides emotional relief for patients, even if the diagnosis is dire. As Susan put it, “I keep hoping that some doctor will tell me exactly what this ‘skin
The title, ‘What is a doctor?’, neatly articulates a contemporary query. As the multidisciplinary team (MDT) becomes increasingly complex with additional moving parts, the role of the doctor becomes ever more difficult to describe. The memory of the ‘family doctor’ is fading.
"Reflecting with a new appreciation of how cycling infrastructure can be done, it’s clear our system needs an overhaul." - Callum Leese writes on the importance of advocating for the development of cycling infrastructure in the UK ...
In clinic last week, a patient called me by my first name – this was the first time I have experienced this in primary care, and for some reason I found it quite jarring. ...there seems to be very little evidence on
Pablo Millares Martin considers whether the problem list has become a problem (or remains a useful clinical tool).
The ever changing face of health services has been reflected in incessant change in language. Here is a (tongue in cheek) glossary for those who have not kept up (Caution: contains satire).
A number of storylines within the Star Trek franchise refer to a combat simulation in which a stranded starship, the Kobayashi Maru, must be rescued, but in which any attempt to do so inevitably results in failure. Ben Hoban can relate...
