25 useful tips to get you through CP1

(As told by current 4th years)

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Dont expect lectures to get any better Friday teaching lectures will still be slept through. Beware that you will meet people in your year that you simply dont recognise and you will mistake them for GEMS. Awkward. Kumar and Clark remains relatively useless. Buy the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (sometimes referred to as the "Cheese and Onion" because apparently it's the same colour as the packaging for cheese and onion crisps back in the day). CHOOSE YOUR BIBLE: either Reds or Herrons guides, purchased from the Lenton Print Shop [NB Herons is actually on the NLE]. These are guides written by past students containing all the information youll need to know to pass the knowledge exams. Heron's has a jazzier font but Reds is less waffly. Either way you won't pass without one! You may complain about these books, decide they are useless and don't have enough information or that it is just copied from one of the leading textbooks without any diagrams. BUT, in the last weeks of revision it will be a lifesaver. Invest in a loud alarm clock and some strong coffee. Remember CFU? Yeah, it's time to start thinking about it now, and checking what your patient has been up to in the months that you've not spoken to them. The answer to pretty much every question is either 'I would do a full history and examination' or 'ABCDE' (Airway/ Breathing/ Circulation/ Disability/ Exposure/Everything else). On a similar note, gallstones tend to come up quite a lot for no apparent reason, so if youre stuck for an answer - suggest them. Just never wear a bow-tie. MAKE SURE YOU OWN A STETHOSCOPE. If you're getting one now, make use of the engraving service that often comes with them to add your name, as junior doctors will often wander off with them after borrowing them for "a few" patients.

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10. Buy a cheap black biro, and when it gets lost or 'stolen' buy a whole bunch more. There is always a shortage

of pens on a ward and everyone from doctors to nurses to the pharmacist need more. What better way to make friends than to be their dealer. On a similar note never, ever write on a patient notes in blue ink. Just don't.
11. Take opportunities! You will always learn much more by getting involved and volunteering yourself to do

things. It may seem a little bit scary if you have never done it before but you'll gain a lot. And don't be afraid to ask questions; most doctors are more than happy to talk to you and will probably be impressed that you are interested!
12. You may find yourself in a situation you aren't comfortable with or you find upsetting. Let someone know and

talk to them about it.

13. History taking is a huge part of CP1. Make sure you talk to patients! Think about your questions. Most people

find they learn the really important skills and tips by simply going on the ward and talking to patients and doctors; you cant learn everything from a textbook.
14. Once you have taken a history, try and present it! You will have to present in the practical exam at the end of

the attachment, so find someone to listen to you and ask for feedback.
15. Staying on top of objectives is important for CP1 - it's a huge learning curve with so many new things coming

your way. The objectives at the back of your logbook will help guide your learning.
16. People constantly ask you to work out differential diagnoses using 'the surgical sieve', which is really

confusing until you work out what it actually is. In a nutshell, the causes for a presenting complaint generally fall into these categories: Congenital, Infection, Inflammatory, Degenerative, Trauma and Mechanical, Neoplastic conditions, Metabolic/Endocrine, Neurological, Iatrogenic and Idiopathic.
17. Getting to watch surgery is really interesting but if you feel funny at any point just say so and take 5 minutes

out. Surgeons would much rather you do that than having to deal with a passed out medical student as well as whatever is on the table. It's quite common and nothing to be ashamed of.
18. Invest in a tendon hammer. Get them cheap from the clinical skills centre so that you can get practicing

neurological assessments towards the exam.

19. It might be an idea to invest in a fob-watch or something similar. Counting the respiratory rate and heart rate

is an important part of the respective examinations.

20. If you're placed in Lincoln or Boston: take a duvet (you're provided with hospital bedding. It's not great.). 21. The people who don't iron their shirts will be silently judged by all around them. Don't be that guy: get an

iron.
22. Prepare an answer to "What specialty do you want to go into" because you'll be asked it a lot and saying "I

don't know" quickly becomes tedious. Consider telling the consultant that actually, you're quite interested in <insert the name of their specialty here>, as it might just make them like you more.
23. If you're at Derby, Costa does 25% off for staff on a Friday. This may not seem very relevant at the moment,

but closer to exams this will make you very happy. Curry Thursdays at Derby are also incredible. Even if you are placed in Boston, this trip is recommended.
24. Despite how its portrayed in Greys Anatomy, there are no attractive consultants, or registrars. Or F1s either

for that matter. Nottingham is just a black hole for talent and it extends into the hospitals too!
25. Plan something fun for the 2 week holiday 2012 is going to be a LONG year.

Most importantly, enjoy it! For many of you, this is what you have been waiting for since you started medical school, so go out there, get stuck in and have a fantastic time.