Many doctors do not receive training early in their careers on the broad range of non-clinical aspects of their work, and confront day-to-day issues for which initial medical education has failed to prepare them. Experienced doctors and consultants can also experience a similar lack of accessible reference material on these aspects of their role and for the non-clinical training of their juniors.

This book and its companion volume The Doctor’s Handbook Part 2: Understanding the NHS, have been written to address these and other needs. Published in previous editions asThe Specialist Registrar and New Consultant Handbook, these completely revised and reconfigured volumes reflect the changing everyday work of specialist trainees, registrars and consultants.

Topics covered in Volume 1 include:

• Exploring your approach to work and learning
• Teaching, training, appraisal and assessment
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Managing day-to-day issues
• Effective written communication
• Non-clinical involvement with patients
• Research

Part 2 covers the workings of the NHS as they relate to doctors, including structure, funding and governance, licensing and revalidation.

The two volumes of The Doctors Handbook are an essential reference for all doctors, from specialists through to consultants.

At the onset of the two major steps in a medical career, namely into specialist training and consultant life, we could all do with an instruction manual. Part 1 is concerned with self-assessment and improving professional communication, brought together in an accessible way. Every single thing in this book will turn up at some time in a specialist doctor’s career, thankfully not all at once! Treat it as a vade mecum and guide to the complexities and frustrations of life as a medical specialist.
John Black in his Foreword

* Exploring your approach to work and learning
* Teaching, training, appraisal and assessment
* Effective interpersonal communication skills
* Managing day-to-day issues
* Effective written communication
* Non-clinical involvement with patients
* Research