Being a doctor

Abstract

This chapter explores what is involved in being a doctor. It includes details of the Foundation Programme and how to apply, the curriculum and assessment, healthcare in the UK, starting life as an F1, what to do before you start, your first day, occupational health, what to carry, organization and efficiency, patient-centred care, communication and conduct, breaking bad news, cross-cultural communication, outside agencies, quality and ethics, clinical governance/quality, medical ethics, patient confidentiality, capacity, consent, what to do when things go wrong, medical errors, complaints, incident reporting, colleagues and problems, hating your job, relaxation, causes of stress, pay and contracts, making more money, debt, NHS entitlements, career, specialty training applications, options, and competition, career structure, choosing a job, specialties in medicine, your curriculum vitae, post-Foundation Programme CV, interviews, membership exams, continuing your education, audit, presentations and teaching, teaching medical students, and research and academia.