Factsheets for consultants
We have developed a series of new members-only factsheets designed to support your career.
You can now download the factsheets in the fourth part of the series on the theme of becoming a recognised expert. The first, second and third parts on the themes of becoming a successful leader, staying patient focussed and managing your team well are also available to download.
Check back to download the latest factsheets for consultants. The next part in the series is all about understanding marketing and media.
NEW Becoming a recognised expert
- Writing a report
Consultants may occasionally be required to prepare a report to assist in the investigation of incidents such as a clinical negligence claim, criminal proceedings, a complaint, disciplinary proceedings or a coroner’s inquest. - Acting as an expert witness
A court or committee may require the opinion of an impartial medical expert witness experienced in the specialty concerned to assist them in making a decision about a case. - Giving evidence as a professional witness
Doctors can expect to be called to give evidence in court several times during the course of their professional career. They can be called to testify in many different types of courts, including criminal and civil courts, coroners’ courts and industrial tribunals.
Managing your team well
- Supervision of staff
This factsheet provides useful information on supervisory skills for consultants, covering delegation, performance management, professional development and pastoral care. - People skills
All consultants are expected to manage from day one in post. This factsheet looks at interpersonal “people” skills, including negotiation, constructive confrontation and leadership. - Organisational skills
Many of the necessary skills for management are similar to those you will already posses as an effective clinician. This factsheet considers strategy, business case development, workforce planning and financial skills for consultants. - Managing meetings
Learn how to make your meetings more effective, both as a chair and as a participant. Think about how you can make meetings more productive. - Communicating with your teams
Healthcare in hospitals is increasingly delivered by multidisciplinary teams and this can present several communication challenges for consultants.
Staying patient focused
- Communication skills
Find out more about how to improve your communication skills. Brush up on the various techniques including matching, questioning, signposting, understanding and recall. - Communicating with patients and their relatives
Good communication with patients and colleagues is vital for patient safety. Effective communication can improve patients’ experiences of hospital. - Communicating with the patient’s GP
Good communication between consultants and general practitioners is essential for good medical practice. Ensure continuity of care when your patients are transferred from hospital to primary care. - Good record keeping
No one’s memory is wholly reliable, which is why good record keeping is vital. Records generally include a course of events, required actions, steps taken, outcomes and further action. - Confidentiality of electronic records
You must protect confidentiality of patient information whether it is held or transmitted electronically. Refresh your knowledge on the requirements for the storage, transmission and security of electronic patient records.
Becoming a successful leader
- Leadership skills
The importance of medical leadership is now widely acknowledged. Leadership encompasses a range of specific skills, including people management and service design and delivery, which can be developed and improved. - Communication principles
Effective communication is essential for the optimum care of hospital patients. Since care is often delivered by teams of doctors in a range of specialties, working in shift patterns, communication is crucial to continuity of care. - Time management
Time is a limited – and therefore precious – resource. Developing techniques for using your time more effectively can have beneficial consequences at work and home. This factsheet gives you some time management tools to help you make time work for you.
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To order your own exclusive copy of the new MDU consultant pack, which contains the full set of 18 factsheets for consultants click here. |
