Learning failure for doctors: The Kobayashi Maru simulation in medicine

Report to Starfleet medical immediately. Learning objectives 1. Understand the nature of the Kobayashi Maru simulation 2. Consider how experiencing no-win situations could be useful for doctors 3. Reflect on your own experiences of failure and whether you could have anticipated your feelings In arguably the best Star Trek film we have perhaps one of […]

Feeling guilty? Jury service for doctors

You come home after a busy day at work to find a letter on the doormat. It looks important. Opening it you notice the imposing red font and realise it is a court summons and your first thought is ‘what did I do!’ Quickly you realise it’s not you who has to stand in the […]

The waiting room exercise

The patient waiting room can be an insightful area to learn more about how a GP practice or outpatient department work. It also allows an opportunity for members of the clinical team to gain some understanding of the waiting experience from a patient perspective (or perhaps Jerry Seinfeld’s perspective). The waiting room exercise is sometimes […]

Playing with patients: game theory and the medical consultation

Medical consultation models focus on the patient’s agenda. But what about what doctor’s ideas, concerns and expectations! Shouldn’t we look at the agenda of all the players involved? Learning objectives 1. Consider the use of game theory as a framework on which to model the doctor-patient encounter 2. Clarifying your own agenda as an influencing […]

Whatsapp Doc? Instant messaging etiquette in medicine

Healthcare professionals and students are increasingly using instant messaging applications (usually Whatsapp) to communicate with each other. Learning objectives 1. Consider how you currently utilise instant messaging applications with your colleagues 2. Reflect on how differences between members of a messaging group could impact on training 3. Devise rules of messaging etiquette Imagine you have […]