I was examining our first year students last week.  I examined a station in their OSCE that tested their ability to carry out a respiratory exam. They were very good.  But something interested me.  There was great variation in how many times the students percussed the chest, that is, how many times they ... Read More »

I was at the Scottish Cystic Fibrosis Society annual meeting today.  A variety of interesting speakers, a fascinating spectrum of topics, and an oportunity to network.  Whatever that means. One session was entitled "Hidden carers:Gypsy/Traveller Communities" There are an estimated 15000 travellers in Scotland. ... Read More »

This afternoon I had to see a student who is running into difficulties.  His peers in his student group reported to me that he is disruptive, loud, unprofessional, and shirks his work. I passed this information onto the student, and he was understandably taken aback.  He had no insight into his problem.  He ... Read More »

I've been marking 5th year medical student essays today.  They all chose ABGs as a subject.  So they were sent to me.  I teach ABG analysis to the 2nd years, the 3rd years, the 4th years and any 5th years we have lying around the wards.  I know it's a relatively tough thing to understand, as every week ... Read More »

Winter.  Increasingly busy for the chest physician.  Increasingly busy for everyone in medicine, I think.  So the last few months have been hectic in Castle Dundee.  Our 30 bedded ward has had to accommodate over 60 patients for most of the Winter, and one of our side rooms has turned into a kitchen; ... Read More »