The Clinician's Survival Guide – Details, episodes & analysis

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Whether you're unfortunately enough to be dealing with a complaint made against you, you fear a complaint might be forthcoming, or you just want to be prepared for when that happens to you, this episode will help you.  

In this second episode dealing with complaints, the discussion focuses on important things you should do if a patient makes a complaint against you.  This starts from the moment it happens, so forewarned is forearmed. 

The issue of receiving a complaint is dealt with in this way:

• Who you need to liaise with, before responding to the patient
• How to respond to the patient
• Focusing on yourself, and the impact it has on you

USEFUL RESOURCES REFERRED TO:
Doctors' experiences and their perception of the most stressful aspects of complaints processes in the UK: an analysis of qualitative survey data - PubMed (nih.gov)

From <https://www.themdu.com/guidance-and-advice/complaints> 

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

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This episode is about complaints: what they are, and what they are not.  It debunked some of the popular narrative surrounding complaints, such as its role in improving standards and complaints being a neutral activity. 

 In this episode:

• Definition of Complaint
• Where it fits in with our overall wellbeing
• Misconceptions surrounding complaints
• Theory versus reality of complaints
• Why Complaints often do not improve standards, and may in fact lower them
• The problem with complaints
• The alternative to a complaint: Feedback and Queries

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

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If you find yourself struggling with time management due to dealing with multiple problems in a single appointment, you need to do something about it.

This episode hits at the survival challenge in consultations when patients have an agenda that is beyond the intended purpose of the appointment), 

• Why it is (almost always) not appropriate to deal with multiple requests in consultations, 
• and how to manage the situation. 

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

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This episode is about finding the right job.  

It takes the position that clinicians don't always make the wisest choices when looking for a job, and there are numerous examples of this being realised much later.  

Whilst generic advice can't possibly take into account every person's individual needs, this episode of The Clinician's Survival Guide covers five common mistakes that clinicians make when applying for a job, only to realise it much later on.  

Some would say that the landscape is now much more competitive than before, and if this is true, then all the more reason to get it right the first time.

The episode takes a positive standpoint and advises on important considerations.  A later episode will be considering the struggle that some GPs may feel with getting a job in the first place.  

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

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YOUR attitude has a LOT to do with what happens next.

LISTEN to this before moving onto further episodes.

This episode highlights the key role that our own attitude has on our success and why, despite being highly qualified professionals, we might not be that clever when it comes to attitude.

The episode is a foundation for subsequent episodes and covers the key concepts of:
- Attitude
- Wrong connections

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

Send us a text

Do you encounter challenges and limitations that prevent you from delivering the high quality of care you aspire to?  Difficulties and systems that prevent you from having fulfilment in your work?  Things that are clearly not the way they should be?

The Clinician's Survival Guide is about making you as productive and efficient as possible, and helping you find practical solutions to the challenges you face, thereby allowing you to have a more fulfilling career. 

Delivered by an experienced and dedicated team across the UK with a wealth of experience spanning decades, the podcast is led by Dr Munir Adam who is an experienced GP, Educator, Mentor, and your critical friend.  

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

Send us a text

This episode revisits the journey so far, providing a reminder of some of the key learning points from previous episodes.  The purpose of this is to:

• Aid recall
• Help internalise important concepts
• Help listeners decide whether any episodes need revisiting
• To serve as a check on whether action points identified previously have been implemented into daily working life

The Clinician's Survival Guide is about improving the working life of a clinician, and is a practical guide.  By re-listening to episodes, reflecting on what the take-home points mean to you, reviewing your current situation, planning for what needs to change and then implementing those changes you will be able to benefit the most. 

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

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This is the second half of our discussion about feeling overworked.  In this part we focus on trying to adopt an approach to resolving the problem:

• What are the different factors you have to look at
• CPR, locus control and what is it about the work - revisted.
• Overview to approach when the problem lies with your workplace
• Overview of approach when the problem lies with you

This episode should get you thinking, and equip you with ideas about how you will resolve the issue.

Having listened to both parts, you:

• May decide to address this on your own
• You may work with colleagues to resolve things
• You may access help from other sources
• We don't offer bespoke advice, but subject to capacity can facilitate group sessions to explore such issues, and we also have a community group on social media.

Listening to these episodes is an important first step.

The Clinician's Survival Guide is about helping you get the most in your life as a clinician, and helping you find practical solutions to the challenges you face.  

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

Send us a text

Do you feel overworked?  Or, shall we call it overwhelmed, tired out, not coping with it, working beyond capacity?  Whatever you call it, you may be concerned about it's consequences: burnout, unhappiness, loss of work-life balance, stress.  

While clinicians being overworked isn't news to anybody, trying to make sense of it is less well understood and there is a lack of agreement about what to do about it.  Fair to say the status quo doesn't look good.  

This episode of The Clinician's Survival Guide, and the next one, provides an approach to first make sense of it all and then to do something about it.  The episode discusses three ways to classify the 'diagnosis' that will help clinicians move onto the next steps of dealing with the issues.  

Contents:

• Feeling overworked and stressed out is a big problem
• It's NOT the same as running late due to lack of time
• Common causes
• Understanding it in terms of causation
• Understanding in terms of locus of control
• Understanding CPR!

IMPORTANT:  If your health is suffering, please get professional help from your GP or a suitable alternative.  

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.

Send us a text

"So what if you keep running late, it's part of the job... you're a professional, get on with it".  

What's your response to this statement?

In this episode Dr Munir Adam takes a strong view against this narrative, and emphasises the many downsides to running late - something which is often ignored.  The episode covers:

• Perspectives in relation to running late
• Why running late matters
• What to do if you happen to be running late.

It thereby justifies the importance that The Clinician's Survival Guide places on covering episodes to do with time management and being efficient.  

The Clinician's Survival Guide is about making you more efficient, and helping you find practical solutions to the challenges you face, so that you can have a fulfilling career as a clinician.

Updated, removing reference to social media, otherwise same

Contact email: primarycareuk@outlook.com

Dr Munir Adam (Dr Munir Ali-Zubair) is the host, and leads the multi-professional Primary Care UK team that manages this podcast.

DISCLAIMER. This podcast is for clinicians working in the UK and is not for patients or the general public. The podcast should never be used as a substitute for professional advice, whether clinical, managerial or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are simply the opinions of those contributing, and should not be considered authoritative guidance. Applying any suggestion requires careful consideration and understanding of context and of potential implications. The hosts, guests, other contributors and the organisations they represent do not accept liability of any kind for any actions or consequences arising from the information contained in the podcast.

(C) Therapeutic Reflections Limited.