The title should say it all really What do we define as a gesture in medicine I was told earlier this week by one of my resident doctors I did something that defined me differently to them What did I do differently? I did something for a patient which to me wasn't anything too momentous, but did it connect us in that moment? Well yes it did! We as doctors are trained to retain lots of medical knowledge We are trained to impart that knowledge into defined management plans We a

I recently wrote a piece on curiosity in medicine and how for me and hopefully others being curious is integral to the work we do and the profession I’m in. However a question has been nagging me, are we becoming blind to that curious side? I will explain shortly who and what defines as blind.... I mention this as it’s something that I’ve observed consistently over the years in more so my consultant life rather than my medical reg years I knew my career would be hospital base

Did a ward round with one of my first rotation FY1s today......who is now coming up to his final couple of months of his first year of training. It's always a pleasure to ward round together even if it is a rare occasion. I should be grateful I have swapped well today! My usual working rule with any weekend medical ward round.....'I will create little work, enough clarity and coffee'......I don't think I broke that rule today It did give us some time to chat on a number of t

I sat with a colleague, a friend & also they are someone who has seen me through my career at the end of this week. We don't meet often enough but I had the honour of meeting her with her loved one a week ago on call. His clinical status changed very quickly to this week with an unfortunate extreme decline to his health. He sadly died on the evening on that day, but I know in comfort and on his terms. When I sat next to her, it took me back to early last year when I sat in a

Lots of gems seemed to have generated through my personal life experiences of this year passed. This in turn has led to a number of individuals saying you need to share such gems. These gems have come through lived experiences of seeing life in various extremes, be these some of the lowest or highest moments in my life. Gems however shine through their power, this has resulted in some of my most reflective pieces and maybe some of the most healing. Words are more powerful tha

So as doctors, being taught to be detached seems to be a lifelong lesson from when you enter the doors at medical school. That lesson is learnt through the observation of teaching, those you observe through their own personal practice with patients and then you think your’e prepared Well so you think you are…..until grief decides to knocks on your door loudly We do well to lock up grief in various closets in our minds. Medical school did teach us a trick or two. However who t

It's been a week of seeing a few tears in others and seeking uncertainty shake confidence at work. Not the first time and won't be the last time. I will declare that I see tears are signs of strength, an expression of pent up emotions and I would challenge anyone who claims they haven't done this at work or in relation to it..... When were my first tears? Crying in front of my first surgical bosses when I forgot to prescribe antibiotics for an patient. He was so patient and I