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>Would the panel consider opining as to the 5 most important messages that >the débutant(e)s should take home at the end of their first day? Medicine, Surgery, Paeds, Orthopaedics, Gynae, Cardiology ?... damn, that's six already ... For what it's worth, here's my 5: 1) (as others have said) Treat ALL patients with the same degree of respect as you would expect your family and friends to be treated (and that doesn't just apply to the elderly). 2) (as others have said) Don't be afraid to ask for help (Consultant, Nurse, SpR, Porter, Radiograpaher, whoever!) and take unsolicited advice courteously - it's an attempt to help you (and your patient), not put you down. 3) Don't blame patients for not knowing what is and is not an "appropriate" A&E attedance. They are in "Casualty" because they are worried, and the lack of patient education and a viable alternative is largely the medical profession's fault. 4) "Use the Force". If your 'feelings' tell you a patient is ill whilst the 'objective' evidence tells you otherwise, then ignore the obs / normal ecg / GCS of "15ish" / great PEFR etc etc and take the patient seriously. Invite the Med Reg down to send that atypical, early infarct home himeslf / herself. 5) Self-doubt over your high referral rate and apparent inablity to make your own decisions & take responsibility may cause some sleepness night, but fewer than the alternative, which is dead patients. You could whittle those down to 2 rules - Be nice and be careful - which leaves you space for 3 more. Jon Bury (Occasional) A+E SHO (and does anyone know any good cardiology/acute medicine or Trauma jobs going next week?) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%