THE SELF-CRITICAL DOCTOR: HELPING STUDENTS BECOME MORE REFLECTIVE

There are certain areas in British general practice that are undergoing great flux. The clinical bedrock of UK general practice is being attacked at the moment by the Government’s wish to increase control, regulation and privatisation. Google the thoughts of the NHS Blog Doctor, Dr Grumble, The Jobbing Doctor, a Fortunate Man and the Ferret Fancier if you wish to look at the voices from the war-front (and if you can cope with strong language, Dr Rant is highly amusing).

In education, things are settling with the e-Portfolio and the new MRCGP. The current crop of papers includes quite a lot about reflection, and this is a good thing. I was concerned about the lead paper that shows that empathy declines throughout medical school, and that is sad.

Each article is graded from 1–5

IMPORTANCE: ★ (very marginal) to ★★★★★ (essential reading)

EASE OF READING: ☻ (impenetrable) to ☻☻☻☻☻ (very clear)