WHAT THE BLEEP?
Endocrinology and Diabetes is a busy speciality that is predominantly outpatient based, perfect for doctors who love the diagnostic challenge of eliciting information from patients, making a diagnosis and starting a clear management plan. This is a speciality that is constantly evolving becoming more relevant with the increase in the ageing population and growth of obesity.
PERSONALITY
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Good diagnostic skills
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Attention to detail
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Great communication skills and empathetic
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Team player and leader
AVERAGE WEEK
An average week as a consultant in endocrinology and diabetes would usually consist predominantly of outpatient clinics with 2-3 ward rounds, time to review ward referrals and further time for MDT meetings, audits, journal reviews and research sessions.
BEST BITS
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Investigating and correctly diagnosing a patient with an endocrine condition can be stimulating.
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Continuity of care with your patient.
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Getting symptom relief for patients with endocrine conditions with the correct treatment can be very rewarding.
CHALLENGES
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Patients refusing to engage with treatment can be challenging.​
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Prioritising patient care to minimise complications can be difficult.
WHAT THE FACT?
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Diabetes is one of the oldest disease with reports of it from over 3,500 years ago by Egyptians who called the disease 'great emptying of urine' to describe the polyuria, and also by Indian physicians who called the disease 'honey urine'.
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The word 'Thyroid' actually means 'Shield', as the shape resembled the shield used in Ancient Greece at the time.
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There are an estimated 3.2 million people with diabetes in the UK (2013). This is predicted to reach 4 million by 2025