Search

What makes a successful ward round ?

Critical Care is a complex setting, with complex teams, and complex patients. As a Critical Care Consultant, leading the ward round, we’re responsible for orchestrating efficient, effective and nuanced care for our patients. The team works together towards shared outcome goals for our patients. But how can we make sure we’re delivering a “good” ward round? What does that really mean?

Written by Dr Gilly Fleming

I’m Abi and I work as a Cardiac Physiologist. I had never heard of a cardiac physiologist during my time at school. As a teenager I travelled the world to pursue a career in the very niche sport of table tennis also known as ping pong, which meant my studies took a bit of a side line and consequently I didn’t have much in the way of a ‘traditional’ career path...

Written by Abigail Gowland

Threat or opportunity for academics?

As intensivists, we must always be striving to familiarise ourselves with the current literature. But what if the current literature is being written by an AI? Would we be able to tell? Would it matter?

Written by Dr James Harper

A New Training Opportunity for Intensive Care Trainees in the Severn Deanery

As a newly qualified Foundation Year 1 doctor, I witnessed the devastating impact of poor communication in a clinical setting. A consultant surgeon had the unenviable task of informing a patient that her cancer was inoperable. The conversation was rushed, clinical, and devoid of empathy. The woman sat in stunned silence, her confusion and distress palpable, while the surgeon moved on to his next case without offering any support. That moment stayed with me and underscored the importance of effective, compassionate communication in medicine...

Written by Dr Tom Cloke and Dr Hannah Crofton

A matched journey through intensive care training

When I left home for medical school, I packed my £79 Halfords bike and headed to Edinburgh. Known for its hilly terrain and charming cobbled streets, Edinburgh wasn’t exactly cyclist-friendly. But for me, cycling was a practical way to get around. As a medical student, every minute counted, and cycling gave me a few extra minutes of sleep—something that felt vital during a jam-packed schedule of lectures and studying...

Written by Elaine Yip

Dr Cathy Ross shares lessons from her final year of ICM training, covering placements, leadership, job planning and preparing for life as a consultant.

Previously through the SSUAG website, I’ve detailed some of the pros and cons of an electronic clinical information system (CIS). In North Cumbria we use such a system in both ICUs (38 miles apart!), the chosen system being IMDSoft’s “Metavision” system.

Written by: Jon Sturman

Climate change is now considered to be a climate crisis because of the health emergency occurring from increasing carbon dioxide levels, rising temperatures, climbing sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, worsening air pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Written by: Heather Baid

As is often said of critical care teams, radiologists are another group who can be considered in the small cohort of the last few “true generalists”.

Written by: Derek Smith

My mind is consumed with thoughts that I am unable to filter appropriately without entering a rabbit hole that I can’t see an end to.

Written by: Hafsa Abdulle