Event details
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Uncertainty in General Practice
Much of clinical practice contains uncertainty and probably nowhere more so than in general practice. GPs are said to “manage” uncertainty – although it can feel more like “surfing” uncertainty a lot of the time.
This half day seminar engages participants in reflection on their own practice. Ideas and findings are presented for discussion. A variety of “dysfunctional ways out” are explored. A framework for analysing the roots of uncertainty is presented – one-to-one and working in teams. Importantly, we move on to a consideration of more functional strategies for individual consultations and working in our teams.
We use a workshop format with a mix of activities – including reflective exercises; presentation with discussion; interactive tasks; case studies and practising skills. You will leave with insights to inform both your consultations with patients and your work within your clinical teams.
The session is led by Dr Avril Danczak. Avril is a GP and GP Training Programme Director who works regularly with Effective Professional Interactions. Avril is the lead author of the recently published (and highly recommended) “Mapping Uncertainty in Medicine”
More about Avril Danczak
Avril is an experienced GP having worked in an inner-city practice for 28 years. Throughout that time she also worked in medical education as a GP trainer GP VTS Course Organiser (Programme Director). She has been an appraiser; a GP tutor; part of a GP mentoring programme and has trained appraisers. Avril is involved in educational research and writing – notably working on a big research programme investigating missed diagnostic opportunities in GP. She continues to train GPs, and run Masterclasses on Consultation Skills, Resilience and Teaching Skills.
About uncertainty…
All doctors feel uncertain! Working with doctors emphasises this. Together with her colleague Alison Lea, Avril researched what it was like for doctors when they get that “What do you do when you do not know what to do” moment. The findings informed the book Mapping Uncertainty in Medicine and the development of training workshops to help doctors think and feel differently about uncertainty – and importantly to act more efficiently.
We have given these workshops with doctors at all levels of seniority, in Primary and Secondary Care. Uncertainty won’t go away – so developing the skills to deal with it more effectively and confidently allows doctors to develop their practice in a helpful way. Some attendees on our training even comment that it helps them sleep better at night….
