Contact and help

It is vital that we look after our own health and wellbeing, and that of our colleagues, in what is both a challenging and highly rewarding clinical environment.

If you would like to discuss anything you have seen or experienced more fully, then please have a word with the Consultant on Call in the unit you are in, or email Dr Monro-Somerville (Module lead) on tmonrosomerville@nhs.net

Feeling stressed or anxious about university and work is something that you and many of your peers will experience. At times, it is normal to feel this way, particularly under difficult circumstances and in challenging environments such as critical care. These feelings are in no way a reflection that you cannot do your job well or suggest that you are in any way weak.

Make sure that you get enough rest between your days in the unit, eat healthy foods and engage in physical activity. Speak to the family and friends that you find supportive.

You might find the following resources useful :

Breathing Space

A free confidential listening service within Scotland

Tel- 0800838587

Mindfulness

A guided mindfulness meditation exercise

www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath

Staff Listening Service

A place to explore your thoughts and feelings in a confidential and safe environment

To self refer call : 0131 2421990

USEFUL CRITICAL CARE LINKS

So you want to hear more about critical care? We are DELIGHTED to hear that!

Firstly, pick the brains of the staff (core trainees, registrars and consultants) you are working with during your attachment. We all have different backgrounds and experiences but we all love our jobs, critical care, and hearing from enthusiastic students.

USEFUL WEBSITE RESOURCES :

www.scottishintensivecare.org.uk - Scottish Intensive Care Society (SICS)

Online modules (free to access) covering a variety of topics and information about upcoming events. You can join as a student member for £12, getting you access to a variety of educational materials and events.

www.rcoa.ac.uk/e-la - Royal College of Anaesthetists Online E-learning

USEFUL BOOKS FOR FURTHER READING :

The Beginner's Guide to Intensive Care - A handbook for junior doctors and allied professionals; Nitin Arora. 2nd Edition. Publisher CRC Press

MEDICAL STUDENT EVENTS :

TRAINED Undergraduate Critical Care Evenings

The TRAINED (Trainee Anaesthetists and Intensivists in Education) group run a number of evenings for final year medical students incorporating immersive simulation, small group teaching, dynamic prioritisation games designed to improve clinical decision making and wellbeing. More than 250 undergraduates have attended sessions over the last 18 months.

This Educational initiative was nominated for the Intensive Care Society's Education and wellbeing award and a NHS Education Scotland Innovation in Education award 2020.

Sessions run throughout the year and details regarding sign up will be posted on the LEARN homepage. These evenings are generally oversubscribed so make sure you sign up early.