Life as a junior doctor isn’t car "crash" TV

I was intrigued to hear about a new TV series, “Crash” which started on BBC1 last night, focussing on the lives of junior doctors, who’re just embarking on their medical careers and it is good to see this area of the medical profession being given such a prominent platform. I was curious though to find out how true to life it might actually try to be. However, as it’s been a while since I was a junior myself, this might be better coming from Dr David Samuel, chairman of the BMA’s Welsh Junior Doctors committee. So here’s his take on the show...

A hard-hitting, fast paced drama, which portrays the challenges and sometimes adverse conditions facing a junior doctor. The actors created a realistic portrayal of the nervous tension that flow through the veins of every new doctor, as well as giving some insight into some of the non-clinical issues facing hospitals across the country. Although some of the behaviours were not in keeping with good practice, the interactions between staff and patients were realistic - the use of dialect to communicate appropriately puts the more realistic dramas to shame where clinical jargon fills the ears of confused patients.

The only shame was that one of the show's stars was lost so early on but even this scene was skilfully executed.

I look forward to the next episode to see more flashbacks of my own year as an F1!