RCVS CPD Working Group

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Alistair Taylor — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 14:56:30 GMT

I received it but tried 3 different browsers on my Mac (Safari, Firefox and Chrome) and it crashed each and every time I tried to submit it. Whoever is behind their IT needs more tin cans and string.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

grumpyoldman — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:44:47 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]If I can recommend any book, read 'Do no harm' written by an eminent neurosurgeon it's a fantastic read both to increase understanding of neurology but to also appreciate just how lucky we are in our ability to offer euthanasia. It's chapters are divided into different cases and is quite extraordinary[/quote]

Yes it was ,read it last year on holiday, Henry Marsh. Sad but does give you a sense of perspective. I liked the chapter on the cyclist who's surgery was botched by an over zealous resident. It gives you the impression most glioma and meningioma surgeries are a bit like trying to get the jam out of a doughnut without upsetting the cake at all.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:40:21 GMT

Thanks Anthony and Grumpyoldman.

Wynne

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:17:52 GMT

If I can recommend any book, read 'Do no harm' written by an eminent neurosurgeon it's a fantastic read both to increase understanding of neurology but to also appreciate just how lucky we are in our ability to offer euthanasia. It's chapters are divided into different cases and is quite extraordinary

Neil

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

grumpyoldman — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 14:40:30 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"] I'm no oncologist, but my understanding is that brain tumoyrs aren't malignant in the true sense of the word,[/quote]

Meningiomas in elderly cats are effectively intracranial lipomas. All the neurologists want them because of the high success rate with removal ,relative ease of removal , and low reoccurrence rate. Gliomas are not so forgiving.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:27:17 GMT

In that case, I stand corrected, but I was very concerned last night. I would. though like to know for how long the improvement continued. If months, then good. If only weeks, then not so good.

I'm no oncologist, but my understanding is that brain tumoyrs aren't malignant in the true sense of the word, since the blood/brain barrier prevents metastasis. However some grow more rapidly than others, and the impossibility of excising with wide margins means that surgery is usually debulking, as opposed to true removal.

Wynne

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 10:10:56 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

How long did it survive post-op? For how long did it need strong painkillers post-op?

Wynne

[/quote]

It was on opioids and NSAIDs for a few days, but recovered uneventfully and went home. In fact, they had to dial down the pain relief because he became really euphoric.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 10:03:28 GMT

How long did it survive post-op? For how long did it need strong painkillers post-op?

Wynne

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:20:51 GMT

I saw a cat have an intracranial mass removed whilst in my final year. The difference in the cat pre- and post-op was remarkable, the cat was so much happier and comfortable post-op.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 08:20:53 GMT

So if I do win the lottery, then I should be able to count on your vote

To get back to the original topic, I went to a CPD meeting last night. A university bod was talking about peri-operative analgesia in cats. A lot of good things, and reassuring that we're ahead of the norm in this practice.

BUT

One of the examples shown was a cat that had been operated on to remove an intra-cranial mass.

It (hardly surprisingly)looked to be in extreme pain

Reflection No 1 Given the poor success rate ( return to absolute normality, with no recurrence) of this surgery in human patients, is it fair to perform it in the 1st place, when the PATIENT ( not the owner ) can't give informed consent?

Reflection No 2 Is this the sort of reflection that will win me Brownie points with the academics on this working party?

Wynne

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Anthony Todd — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:59:14 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] Anthony but there is a difference between a retired practitioner and a dinovet - and its not just because its you. [/quote]

I couldn't be upset; a direct personal attack from one of the finest, most knowledgeable, competent most successful, self-effacing, worthy, bare armed, practicioners in his opinion.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:44:42 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]While most may disagree [as it's me] a retired practicioner is exactly who should be on Council.[/quote]Sorry Anthony but there is a difference between a retired practitioner and a dinovet - and its not just because its you.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Anthony Todd — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:39:47 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]But then presumably you wouldn't be working [/quote]

While most may disagree [as it's me] a retired practicioner is exactly who should be on Council.

He/she has the experiences [plural is on purpose] and has been through the many facets of veterinary science as well as, hopefully, having the "savoir faire" to distill all the material that a Councillor has to deal with.

"Experiences" is nothing like "experience" either.

Also he/she should be able to deal with the ordure that the post will attract.

A younger, working, 3 kids at private school, etc. really hasn't the time or energy unless it is at the top of the list of priorities....

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:45:55 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]If I won the lottery, then I would stand.[/quote]But then presumably you wouldn't be working so its Catch 22. And if you expressed your political views in your manifesto you'd have less chance of being elected than Tom RMB Lonsdale.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:35:37 GMT

If I won the lottery, then I would stand.

Wynne

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:26:18 GMT

[quote user="Richard Stephenson"]I am actually still alive!!! [/quote]

Richard Stephenson Sorry - delayed reply. Laughed out loud. I wasn't suggesting otherwise.

As to the rest of your post, it has reminded me of the fact that the 'favourite/bookmark' button has vanished and I want to get it reinstated, so that whenever someone crosses the line, I can direct them to it. You explain my thinking so much better than I do.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:24:47 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]Atkinson for pres.[/quote]Totally non-political animal. A couple of years ago I received a call from the BVA inviting me to apply for council. I questioned why they would ask me directly, 'Is it because I have an opinion on everything and am not scared to express it'? To which the answer was, basically yes! I turned the offer down. Not had the call from the RCVS yet!

Being a past Rotary Club president and District chairman I know how much hard work and dedication is required to be an effective member of such groups and one has to be either very dedicated to the cause or have political ambitions. I am/have neither, I settled for being the lifetime Bulletin editor.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Bob Russell — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:22:21 GMT

I am not semi-retired nor likely to be for a good few years. Yes I spelled flak wrong!

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

David Mills — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:43:19 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]The reality is that many run small practices and it is nearly impossible for individuals to commit adequate resources to the job.[/quote]

Hmmm not if you're an effectively semi-retired baby boomer with time to turbo post on vetsurgeon - remind you of anyone on this list?

Atkinson for pres. Strapline: We WILL CPD.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

David Mills — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:41:28 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"] I would have to take the flack from VetSurgeon members![/quote]

Here's a gentle opener - it's flak.

Flack is an American term for publicist or the verb "to flack" - self promote. The last one might be construed as a Freudian take on your upcoming RCVS career.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Bob Russell — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:38:51 GMT

The reality is that many run small practices and it is nearly impossible for individuals to commit adequate resources to the job.

I was on the local BSAVA committee and that was commitment enough!

I don't think GP's can be blamed for not being able to participate more actively. Work gets in the way!

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:34:08 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"] Richard I think your comment "given that the number of Council members who actually currently work in day to day practice is absolutely tiny" nicely sums up the root cause why many of us feel alienated from Royal College.[/quote]

'Hit the nail right on the head here! And it is this that is causing so much resentment. You speak a lot of sense Bob, ever thought of standing for the RCVS'?

'Not blo+dy likely! if someone covered my workload here I might consider it but then I would have to take the flack from VetSurgeon members'!

I think these three post sum it all up nicely. Moaning there aren't enough GPs on RCVS but no-one wants to do the job and put their money where their mouth is. When are you going to volunteer Wynne?

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Anthony Todd — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:32:49 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"] I would have to take the flack from VetSurgeon members![/quote]

I'd be very surprised if you'd get any flack. You've been there, done it all many times and always make common sense.

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

Bob Russell — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:11:52 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

I agree that the people active on VetSurgeon are likely to be 'converted' to CPD but placing more burden and requirements on the good is unlikely to weed out the bad IMO.

[/quote]

Hit the nail right on the head here! And it is this that is causing so much resentment. You speak a lot of sense Bob, ever thought of standing for the RCVS?

[/quote]

Not blo+dy likely! if someone covered my workload here I might consider it but then I would have to take the flack from VetSurgeon members!

RE: RCVS CPD Working Group

J G Wray — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 17:47:03 GMT

If the person in charge of this Working Group were to be the next President, what odds on Council where a few elected, rather than coopted practitioners are to be found, knocking this back?