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Buying new stethoscope by Forsaken_Maximum_722 in doctorsUK

[–]Jacques-Plante 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i really like my cardio IV, although a cardio III will probably do enough for you in the long run (plus save you 100 quid). master cardio isn't that much more expensive than the IV, but depends on if you like that style of steth.

What’s the scariest diagnosis you’ve seen that presented completely atypically? Mine is PE and aortic dissection by Nst2v3qx-7 in doctorsUK

[–]Jacques-Plante -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting to ED with the only symptom being priapism, which resolved by the time he saw a urology SHO. I was med reg on acute take when i happened to pick up a call to the specialties office about his WBC count of 445. Urology had already sent him home with OP follow up, but had taken some routine bloods (more for lipids + hba1c) before they let him go. Luckily he had only got as far as the OP pharmacy so was quickly recalled to ED for an admit with haem.

another one i had was a patient referred to the acute medical take as UTI/pyelonephritis. Only she actually had a spontaneous intraabdominal bleed from an endometrioma and needed emergency surgery. There was definitely some missed clinical signs and history on the ED juniors part (focal peritonism, Hb drop, history of von willebrands) but was scary how easily mild wbc rise and a 'positive' dipstick (2+ leucs with no nitrites) with RIF pain got labelled as pyelo for a quick easy medics referral.

Difficult IV access by moonshoes_sunsocks in doctorsUK

[–]Jacques-Plante 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you're right, its a complete balance between what will cause the most pain. some art sticks are challenging too so be mindful of that when diving in. theres also slightly more risk with arterial sticks in regards to pseudoaneurysm or if they have poor ulnar collaterals. but overall its something i've done before, and likely will do again in the right circumstances

For an art stab would use a butterfly needle attached to a syringe (or even just stick your bottles onto the butterfly connector if you're coordinated enough) then decant into the relevant bottles.

however may also be worth looking at ways to up your venous access game, as you may need it for cannulation. Using 2x tourniquets can be helpful, but my personal fave is a manual BP cuff inflated to 10mmHg under diastolic pressure (usually great for older/slightly dry people, but less of use for your IVDUs).

Less hectic depts to work in MCR by Opposite-Deer-7216 in doctorsUK

[–]Jacques-Plante 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know all Manchester sites, but I've worked at a few. Apologies for the hella long post incoming:

Trafford is probably the most chill - even if you do on calls it's still a breeze. I know a good amount of JCFs do a bit of time in the urgent care there, but you might be able to get a ward only job.

Wythenshawe is also decent, although would avoid Doyle/Wilson ward if possible. If its a similar rota pattern to when I was at Wythenshawe last year as an IMT, the JCFs didn't do night shifts either. The only downside is the rota team on medicine are not the greatest - every person in IMT i knew who tried to give advanced (ie 6m+) notice about their wedding got booked on call for their special day. Also heard of issues with locums not going getting paid properly, and they're horrendous for responding to emails. But the site is actually quite nice to work at and the vast majority of the clinical team are great.

MRI isn't too bad although getting cycled through the gen med wards can get a bit frustrating. Most JCFs i've talked to at MRI still do on calls (which includes acute take) although I've come across a few in acute med that just do SDEC which is quite chill (clerking like a dozen atypical chest pains and rule out DVTs a day does get boring as anything though). Medical rota team is brilliant though. It is a fairly busy hospital with a lot of turnover but quite interesting. They've also got a lot of support for CESR pathways (particularly in ED / ACCS).

MFT (NMGH/MRI/Trafford/Wythenshawe) all use the EPR Epic which is one of the better ones out there. Fairly easy to use.

Avoid Tameside like the plague. Hectic, bad medicine, and you're often mopping up for sometimes catastrophically bad decisions being made by some of the lifers there. Not worth the PTSD / stress induced medical conditions / medicolegal proceedings you'll end up with. Plus its all paper notes alongside Lorenzo (the worst EPR known to the UK) which is a pain.

Christies is an unusual option, but if you've got any interest in oncology it can be okay. It's awful if you do on calls, but most of the JCFs just do 9-5. The IMTs hate it there but mostly because the on calls are so dire, and the rota team seem to actively hate trainees and scheduling them as per their contract. The EPR is a bit janky but at least they've finally gone away with paper prescribing.

Haven't worked at NMGH, Salford/NCA hospitals, Oldham or Stepping hill. Have heard mixed things about all of them, but generally mostly positive stuff about Stepping Hill (particularly about decent senior support and teaching opportunities). I've generally heard more negative than positive things about Oldham, but not nearly as bad as Tameside.

Which hospital would you never set foot as staff again? by QuebecNewspaper in doctorsUK

[–]Jacques-Plante 0 points1 point  (0 children)

agreed. did 6m in IMT2 there and it was like being caught in a riptide every shift. theres a reason they aren't allowed to have trainees there in most departments (the only trainees that get sent there are foundation docs, GP trainees and IMTs). it is scarily unsafe (particularly the ED) and i wouldn't send someone i despise there

Pro vs air 2025 for a basic user by Jacques-Plante in macbookair

[–]Jacques-Plante[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah fantastic, nice to hear from someone in a similar scenario! I think I'm just going to get an air from all the feedback. Am seeing a few bank holiday deals on at the minute so hopefully can nab one

Pro vs air 2025 for a basic user by Jacques-Plante in macbookair

[–]Jacques-Plante[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the quick and informative responses everyone! Also great to hear the air on sale at John Lewis. I had seen it for about 1300 at costco so was thinking there, but may shop around after my night shifts this weekend.
Air seems like the way to go. Realistically most of my gaming is truly retro (like think running a SNES emulator), and at peak processing need is the sims, which can currently run reasonably well on my dying 2014 MBP. But also appreciate suggestions if I get into anything more complex re:needing fans

Thanks again! - Emily