This book examines the best ways to provide primary care at nights and weekends. There has been increasing demand from patients for out-of-hours care and a great reorganisation of primary care services outside normal surgery hours. Different models of organisations are being tested including primary care centres and nurses giving telephone advice

This book examines the best ways to provide primary care at nights and weekends. There has been increasing demand from patients for out-of-hours care and a great reorganisation of primary care services outside normal surgery hours. Different models of organisations are being tested including primary care centres and nurses giving telephone advice

An essential guide to general practice and being a general practitioner, A Textbook of General Practice is written specifically with the medical student and foundation doctor in mind. Reflecting current practice, the book does not seek to reiterate the content of a general medical textbook, but instead teaches the fundamental principles of general practice. The coverage is comprehensive, with everything the undergraduate student or foundation doctor will encounter in a general practice module or rotation. The skills and knowledge presented can usefully be applied to all areas of clinical practice. With practical exercises throughout the book, readers are encouraged to learn through doing. Quotes from students and tutors offer insights into personal experience, while thinking and discussion points encourage reflection. New features in this edition include improved organization, "red flag" pointers to serious illnesses, and SBA-style self assessment questions. With content entirely updated to reflect the latest recommendations from Tomorrow's Doctors, the third edition of A Textbook of General Practice is the number one choice for undergraduates seeking a narrative introduction to this important discipline.

Accident and emergency departments are the doorway to the hospital for acutely ill and injured patients. Whereas casualty departments have existed for over 150 years, they were often poorly staffed and managed. This book describes the fight to create a new medical specialty of accident and emergency medicine against much opposition from established specialties. The specialty was first recognised in 1972. The book also charts the major developments that occurred in the first 30 years of the specialty.

This overview of the NHS Research and Development Programme is written by people who are at the leading edge of its implementation. It integrates the issues of research management and funding with the importance of focusing research on the needs of the customer (the NHS) and the challenges of implementing the findings of research into clinical practice. The experience of the authors extends from developing local research networks to managing a national research programme, reflecting the scope of the NHS strategy and the potential of this book.

This fascinating new book describes the evolution of the medical profession and how the role of the doctor and expectations of that role have changed over time. It critically examines developments in the light of both external influences such as the ageing population, patient attitudes and knowledge and government regulation, and internal changes such as the increasing knowledge base, advances in technology and changes in recruitment. Challenges in management, working environment, education and training are considered and practical recommendations for both practising and student doctors are offered. The holistic approach is supported with contributions from both primary and secondary care practitioners together with academics and educationalists. It is highly recommended for doctors and medical students seeking new strategies for understanding and managing change. Sociologists and policy makers, too, will find the wide-ranging perspectives enlightening.

- Highlighted skills - cross references to the Clinical Skills chapter throughout text - Over 30 new case studies - Patient journey from pre-hospital and emergency-specific case studies - Critical thinking questions at the end of chapters - Chapter 35 Obstetric emergencies now includes 'Supporting a normal birth'.

How can the quality of service provision and clinical governance in primary care be assessed? This book is designed to help evaluate the way practices interpret their legal obligations, the way the management systems within practices run, and the quality of the systems and processes that most affect the patient care. Quantifying Quality in Primary Care contains frameworks on which to build policies for the smooth running of practices and provides clear insights into attitudes of those working within them, and how to use this information to improve service provision. This straightforward, concise guide will help general practitioners, registrars and managers in primary care improve both service provision and management in the practice.