Diary of a consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in looking after the bones, joints and the soft tissues of the musculo-skeletal system. They operate on particular parts of the body, such as joints and limbs, or treat specific injuries or diseases. Orthopaedic surgeons are responsible for managing the care of trauma patients.They treat fractures and those injured in road accidents. They also correct deformities in growing children and adults.
This is an illustration of the typical activities undertaken by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon working in an NHS hospital.
|
AM |
PM |
Monday |
07.30-08.30
X-ray meeting: discuss patients’ x-rays, and other examinations, with radiologists to decide on appropriate treatment.
08.30-11.00
Ward round: seeing newly admitted patients, reviewing and planning care of existing patients, teaching junior medical staff who accompany the round.
11.00-13.30
Patient administration: completing medical notes, reviewing test results, assessing referrals, reading patients’ notes in preparation for clinic and theatre lists. |
14.00 – 17.30
Outpatient clinic: dealing with new and follow-up patients in the outpatients department. Will include assessment for surgery, discussion of treatment options, reviewing progress of condition. |
Tuesday |
08.30-12.00
Childhood disability clinic: visiting the child development centre to examine and check on young patients with orthopaedic disabilities. |
12.30-13.30
Monthly journal club: clinicians discuss recent research papers to expand knowledge of new treatments and procedures
13.30-17.30
Trauma theatre list: operating on emergency trauma patients, e.g. patients who have complex fractures following an accident and require surgery. |
Wednesday |
08.00-13.00
Day case operating list: operating on patients who do not require an overnight stay in hospital. May include examinations such as an arthroscopy – a procedure to investigate the knee. |
14.00-16.00
Monthly clinical team meeting: the orthopaedic team meet to review cases, discuss future operations or procedures.
16.00-18.00
Monthly Governance meeting:
A monthly meeting to discuss clinical standards and safety. |
Thursday |
07.30-08.30
Pre-operative check: visit patients on the ward to check they are ready for surgery.
08.30-12.30
Elective theatre list: operating on patients pre-booked for surgery, e.g. joint replacement. |
12.30-17.30
Elective theatre list: operating on patients pre-booked for surgery, e.g. joint replacement.
17.30-18.30
Ward round: check on patients who have been operated on during the day. |
Friday |
08.00-09.00
Tutorial: teach-in with trainee staff
09.00-11.00
Fracture clinic: seeing patients who have had treatment or surgery for a fracture. Checking progress and reviewing care plan.
11.00-13.00
External duties: includes work undertaken for the wider benefit of the profession, e.g. reviewing research papers for journal publication or teaching on an advanced life support course. |
13.00-17.00
Teaching session: giving lectures to trainee doctors and medical students. |
Saturday and Sunday |
On-call for one weekend in every 5 weeks.
|
Conducting ward rounds to check on patients and performing emergency trauma surgery. |
Average weekly contracted hours: 45 hours (this figure can and often does increase when on-call). Private practice is undertaken by the consultant during their free time.
See the diary of a
consultant radiologist or
consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist or
consultant anaesthetist.
