Tips on Preparing for a consultant ward round

If you have ever been the junior doctor on a nightmare ward round, here are some tips to make the next one go like a dream.

• Know who your patients are and where they are. Ask the bed managers to find out where your patients have been moved to. Do not drag your consultant round in circles looking for his or her patients
• Ensure that case notes and radio-graphs are available and on the ward. Drum up help from the ward clerks the day before to find any old notes or radiographs
• Find a nurse who knows your patients and invite them on the ward rounds with you. They may be able to provide answers to some of the questions that you are struggling with. Ask them to have drug and observations charts to hand
• Have all key investigation results ready to hand. Give yourself time to telephone for results before the round starts. You get extra points for flow charts to illustrate trends in blood results
• Summarise case histories and results into clear, concise points. This will enable you to update your consultant quickly without frantically flicking through pages of notes and investigations
• Liaise with the multidisciplinary team to find out more about your patients' needs. Your consultant may think a patient is medically fit for discharge, but you should be aware of any social or physiotherapy matters that may delay discharge
• Find out whether your consultant likes to speak to relatives during or after the ward rounds and make the necessary arrangements if requested