Mapping Uncertainty in Medicine

Uncertainty is the norm in medical practice, yet often gives rise to distress in clinicians, who fear they will make shameful or guilt inducing errors. This book offers a succinct method to clinicians for classifying uncertainty and finding the right skills to manage different types of uncertainty successfully.

Every clinician experiences moments when 'they don't know what to do'. Modern medicine is increasingly complex and training has also become more complicated. The days of 'see one, do one, teach one' are over. Yet, both younger clinicians and senior practitioners describe uncertainty as one of the most challenging and stressful aspects of clinical work. If uncertainty is uncomfortable or threatening to individual practitioners, it also provides complex educational challenges. How can we learn to cope with uncertainty effectively ourselves? How can we teach others to understand and manage uncertainty?

In this ground breaking book, the authors propose ways to cut through uncertainty, which is explored as an inevitable (and even desirable) component of clinical practice. A Map of Uncertainty in Medicine (MUM) is used to classify uncertainty and to define the skills that will help find a way though practical difficulties. It is always good to have your MUM with you in a tricky situation

If you experience uncertainty in clinical practice this book:

- will help you understand it, help you manage it effectively and improve your stress levels and resilience as a result

- help you share and manage uncertainty with patients and colleagues

Audience Clinicians in training in all specialties and experienced clinicians looking to expand their skills or teach and train others to deal with uncertainty. Training Programme Directors.

Secondary audiences: Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists working in Primary Care or Accident and Emergency GPs and family doctors overseas.

Needs met: personal and professional development.