101 Things To Do with Spare Moments on the Ward

Here are 101 of the best ideas to make the most effective use of your time on the ward.

Here are 101 of the best ideas to make the most effective use of your time on the ward. Over 250 contributors, including students, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists from 18 countries, help make you the finest doctor you can be! Pocket-sized for 'dipping into' during a spare moment or a couple of hours on the ward, this short guide is ideal for medical students on rotation or junior doctors who wish to boost learning and motivation. There are actually 100 ideas. Now it's your turn to develop tip 101! Submit your ideas to www.101things.org

Foreword vii
Abbreviations and Medical hierarchy viii
Introduction x
Acknowledgements xiv
Table of tasks xix
Section 1 Teaching, Testing and Learning 1
Memory aids and mnemonics 2
Building quizzes 5
E-learning resources 8
Section 2 Clinical Communication 12
Narrative -- the patient's story 15
Preparation 20
History taking 22
Observing communication 26
Section 3 Physical Examination 31
Peer practice for physical examination 33
Examining patients -- systems examinations 36
Examining patients -- holistic assessments 40
Spot diagnosis 44
Exploring around the patient 45
Section 4 Practical Procedures 49
Know your equipment 50
Peer practice of practical skills 55
Hidden teachers, hidden opportunities for practical skills practice 63
Infection control 70
Section 5 Prescribing 75
Navigating around the drug chart 77
Preventable human errors in prescribing 83
Your peripheral brain -- the BNF (British National Formulary) 86
Hidden teachers in pharmacology 90
Transition to junior doctor 93
Section 6 Being Curious 95
A doctor's best friend: the nurse 99
Who are the players? 102
Communication 107
Section 7 Data Interpretation 110
Patient notes 111
Patient ECGs (Electrocardiogram) 115
Imaging 118
Section 8 Getting Teaching 123
Motivating people to teach you 123
Finding other teachers 126
Section 9 Effectiveness and Efficiency 129
Knowing your own motivation 130
Fun and fl ippant suggestions 133
Never too early to think about your future 136
Organisation and effi ciency 136
Section 10 Over to You 143
Task 101 143
Index 144