TY - JOUR T1 - Tips for GP trainees working in renal medicine JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 555 LP - 556 DO - 10.3399/bjgp13X673928 VL - 63 IS - 615 AU - Sarah Maidment Y1 - 2013/10/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/63/615/555.abstract N2 - A placement in renal medicine offers a wealth of opportunities and experience for GP trainees, as well as providing a solid grounding in general medicine.You will soon find out that renal medicine is not as complicated and scary as you once perceived it to be.1. Organise your placement to enable you to obtain a broad range of clinical experience: working on the dialysis unit, looking after patients on the ward, seeing new admissions, and observing or carrying out practical procedures. Go on a home visit if the opportunity arises.2. Spend as much time as possible in outpatients: it is here that you will learn most about the primary care aspects of renal medicine.3. You will find that much of the decision-making is done at a senior level. Come up with your own ‘impression’ and management plan before discussing this with a more senior member of the team. It is too easy to have your hands held and be ‘spoon-fed’.4. Doses of many common medications need to be adjusted for those with renal failure. Locate the Renal Drug Handbook or a renal pharmacist and refer to them for every drug you prescribe.5. You will soon become very skilled in cannulating dehydrated patients with tiny, tortuous veins. Backs of the hands only. The big veins of the antecubital … ER -