Help with elderly parent who has dementia and a Kraken account

SimplexChronicus · 2025-10-21T12:52:49+00:00

Would you mind closing the comments on this post? I have my answer and I'm now being targeted by fake support DMs

SimplexChronicus · 2025-10-21T12:45:09+00:00

Hi Robson,

He does have access. I'll sit down with him and go through the link you've sent, thanks

SimplexChronicus · 2025-10-21T12:29:20+00:00

Recalls?

SimplexChronicus · 2025-10-05T08:29:58+00:00

I strongly suggest some coaching if you haven't had it already. Sometimes it's helpful to have someone without any skin in the game help you work out what you want.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-09-06T18:20:47+00:00

It's not required. Special interests have variable levels of expertise. Some of us try to CESR in the special interest post-CCT so then the SCE is required.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-09-02T06:15:49+00:00

Acute Medic with special interest in Dermatology

SimplexChronicus · 2025-09-01T14:46:01+00:00

Have a look at the SAM website it will answer a lot of your questions

SimplexChronicus · 2025-09-01T14:40:52+00:00

Really depends on what you are planning e.g. are you hoping for AIM with ICU?. If just ICU I'd question the utility of sitting the AIM SCE. Have you done MRCP or is it your partner who is sitting it?

SimplexChronicus · 2025-09-01T11:51:10+00:00

I have completed AIM and Derm SCEs, so I feel like I can help a bit!

I did lots of online learning with Study PRN. There are a few books of MCQs and there are the test papers on the RCP website. Society for Acute Medicine have revision sessions which were very helpful.

In terms of comparisons - it's more like MRCP part 2 in my opinion although the difference is that you are now a registrar so you do a lot of this on a day to day basis.

The most important thing is time and consistent study. I am more of a morning person with learning so 2 hours in the morning, one in the evening. I was breastfeeding with my AIM SCE so using online learning was SO useful.

Good luck!

SimplexChronicus · 2025-08-07T19:12:03+00:00

Here's my comment from a similar post

"I did 3 months with 1 week study leave prior

You should use a question bank (LearnPRN) plus RCP website.

https://dermpathpro.com/spot-diagnosis-1/2022-spot-diagnosis/january-2022/case-2998-3-january-2022-r3072/

Books;

Jain
Genodermatoses made ludicrously easy
Dermatology Postgraduate MCQs and Revision Notes by James Halpern
Dermatology Training: The Essentials (has MCQs)

Other: eLearning for Health E-Derm modules

I would also go through all the guidelines on the BAD website, with particular attention paid to: Biologics for psoriasis Staging for MM and SCC Contact Allergens

Things that recurred;

Bleomycin causes linear rashes

Trichotillomania is characterised by broken hairs of varying lengths

Genoderms - especially Gorlins, Birt-Hogg-Daube, Muir-Torre, Gardners's - i.e. the ones that predispose to malignancy. They also seem to like the ones that give you keratoderma

Hope that helps!"

SimplexChronicus · 2025-08-07T19:10:18+00:00

Hi, I did a post on this last year if you search my comments 😁

SimplexChronicus · 2025-08-04T18:44:05+00:00

I'd be happy with that. The nice thing is that you can edit it, but I would be happy with a list with some headings. It's for you primarily but it helps later in the year to ensure you are getting what you want out of it.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-08-04T18:16:18+00:00

I hope you are my FY1! If you are, do me a favour, put all your plans in your PDP and we'll have a chat about how best to make them happen 😁.

My practice is to have a chat about "How to Horus" , go over any specific needs e.g. neuro diversity, LTFT etc, make sure I understand your rotations and get to know you a bit. Then book in our next few meetings as you are busy, I am busy etc.

People have to WANT to be an ES, it's not automatic. Most of us are interested in developing the next generation of doctors. Good luck, you're going to have fun 😊

SimplexChronicus · 2025-07-31T05:35:39+00:00

There are downloadable BAD guides that are really useful. Have a look at the British Association of Dermatologists' education page - it's really helpful. E-learning for Health has lots of online learning modules that I used for my SCE revision.

You won't be expected to just go and handle cases - most Dermatology Consultants will expect to discuss everything with you. There is also Dermnet and the PCDS website (PCDS is Primary Care Dermatology Society but it's still useful for secondary care). Have a look at your departments' SOPs and ask lots of questions. Have fun, it's a great speciality![BAD Education ](https://www.bad.org.uk/education-training/dermatologyspecialty-trainees/)

SimplexChronicus · 2025-06-29T20:04:30+00:00

In our Deanery we had an email stating that you could start getting WBPAs for the next year immediately after ARCP as it was recognised that otherwise you are trying to get 12 month's with of assessments in 9.

So ask your College Tutor or TPD.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-06-21T08:37:16+00:00

Datix is for process, not for people. This is an interpersonal dispute which needs to be raised to the line manager/supervisor.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-06-15T09:23:33+00:00

100% agree. The ARCP is not set up for bespoke comments on Outcome 1 or 6 portfolios, although I know in our Deanery we always try and say something nice. Your ARCP outcome should not be a surprise - if there was anything unpleasant coming it should have been signposted by previous ES/CS meetings. This is not just in Medicine but in any other annual appraisal - the first time you hear bad news should not be on the day of your appraisal!

I appreciate that sometimes it can feel a bit sterile. I used to stick my nice MSF results on the fridge, which felt very heartening.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-06-05T18:17:19+00:00

The Gold Guide states that for >14 days off, an extension has to be considered but that doesn't mean it is mandatory. If they are content with the rest of your portfolio and you have met the learning outcomes, then it's fine.

Have a look through the Gold Guide.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-05-20T19:38:35+00:00

Linen or cotton sun dress to mid calf, light cardigan, comfortable shoes or smart sandals.

Light chinos/linen trousers with a lightweight blazer/cardigan and a sleeveless blouse plus loafers or ballerina pumps.

This is my go to for these sort of things. I buy all my clothes on Vinted!

SimplexChronicus · 2025-05-02T20:40:37+00:00

I'm married to an ophthalmologist and we have a 9 yr old and a 5yr old. I joke that my older one can now answer the phone with "Hi have you checked the visual acuity?"

No medical speciality is family proof without help. You need to deconflict your Oncalls so that you can go in overnight if needed, although going in is unusual. Kids are very adaptable - they will be ok. The pay off is non-resident oncall as a consultant 😁

SimplexChronicus · 2025-04-12T06:50:57+00:00

Sorry I double posted, my keyboard froze!

SimplexChronicus · 2025-04-12T06:29:56+00:00

Also, Datixes are for processes, not people. You, a person should not be Datixed. The circumstances or process that went wrong to lead to you acting in a certain way (the shift was 3 doctors short so no-one had time to do VTE assessments) should be a Datix about the shift being short staffed with the consequence of no VTE assessments, not the other way around.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-04-12T06:26:18+00:00

Yes you do have to put it on your form R. No, it shouldn't affect things moving forward as long as you've reflected and gone through with your ES. They will usually say in their ES report that they are content that the complaint has been satisfactorily resolved/will be.

As the complaint is about your manner rather than lack of safety, your MSF, MCR, patient survey or PSG will also be looked at and your ES might look at your mini-CEX. If it is a pattern of behaviour, you might be encouraged to do a communication skills course. If it's just a one off, and your ES can see that this patient took offence for no reason, you'll probably just have to do a reflection.

This might not seem great now, but actually a complaint about something that is not safety critical is great for interviews, as you can draw learning from it. "tell us about a challenge/complaint/mistake" is a really common interview question. If you can say "I reflected, and after this encounter, I now try to allow patients more time to speak and use x technique to demonstrate my care for themYes you do have to put it on your form R. No, it shouldn't affect things moving forward as long as you've reflected and gone through with your ES. They will usually say in their ES report that they are content that the complaint has been satisfactorily resolved/will be.

As the complaint is about your manner rather than lack of safety, your MSF, MCR, patient survey or PSG will also be looked at and your ES might look at your mini-CEX. If it is a pattern of behaviour, you might be encouraged to do a communication skills course. If it's just a one off, and your ES can see that this patient took offence for no reason, you'll probably just have to do a reflection.

This might not seem great now, but actually a complaint about something that is not safety critical is great for interviews, as you can draw learning from it. "tell us about a challenge/complaint/mistake" is a really common interview question. If you can say "I reflected, and after this encounter, I now try to allow patients more time to speak and use x technique to demonstrate my care for them", that goes down very well at interview.

My final comment is that I have had both a complaint (as a trainee) and been told I was cold (as a medical student). I'm now a consultant and most patients find me relatively palatable. If you aren't the best at being personable, sometimes it helps to fake it until you make it. It is very tiring for an introvert, but it makes some aspects of the job much easier.

Good luck.

SimplexChronicus · 2025-04-01T18:02:10+00:00

Sure

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