Working in medicine has its ups and downs, so it’s important to do the things that help you stay happy at work.

Dr John Jolly, head of member risk education, and Dr Heidi Mounsey, medical claims adviser, look at the reasons behind medicolegal cases reported to us at Medical Protection.

Patients will not necessarily be in a position to differentiate between you, as a medical student, and a “real” doctor – so it’s up to you to make sure they know who you are.

When patients fail to attend an appointment, it can be hugely frustrating for a number of reasons. It is also very costly, according to recent NHS England data that suggests up to 15 million general practice appointments are being wasted each year – at an estimated cost to the NHS of £216 million.

Good doctors are good communicators – it’s that simple. This article examines how building your communication skills at medical school will stand you in good stead as a doctor.

If you have ever been unfortunate enough to receive a letter of claim, you will be aware of how stressful the process can be. Another aspect is the often high sums of money involved. Stephen Preater, costs adviser at Medical Protection, is part of an expert in-house team that is dedicated to controlling the amounts sought by claimants