Practical Procedures
What does this section contain?
General tips on practising procedures:
The best way to gain exposure to these practical procedures is on the wards. Whilst there is an element of pot-luck in whether the opportunity arises for you to be able to perform any of these procedures, perseverance is the key. With procedures such as Venflon (IV cannula) insertion, it can be very easy to get into a rut of just being unable to find the vein - just stick with it, be confident, and you'll eventually get it. Even if you know the basics of how to perform the procedure, it can still be useful to get someone with experience to watch you - even if they are there just for moral support. Like with many things, District Hospitals can be good places to find opportunities to perform various procedures, as they are relatively student-free and the junior doctors will very much appreciate someone to help with the many cannulae. For Nasogastric Tube and Catheter insertion, try Accident and Emergency Departments or Acute Medical Assessment Units, as well as the Operating Theatres. Unsurprisingly, the Neurology wards are your best bet for locating any potential Lumbar Punctures to perform.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr Sonya Abraham (Consultant in Rheumatology and General Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London) and Dr. Jeeth Thomas (Registrar in Cardiology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool) for reviewing the material in this section.
