Teaching Topics
A growing library of clinical teaching materials covering core paediatric topics. New content added regularly. Click any topic to explore further.
Interpreting Growth Charts
Centile charts, plotting correctly, identifying faltering growth, understanding weight-for-height and BMI in children.
Practical skillCommunicating with Parents
Breaking difficult news, managing anxious parents, explaining diagnoses clearly and building therapeutic relationships.
CommunicationCounselling in Paediatrics
Principles of counselling, behavioural issues, chronic disease management conversations and motivational interviewing.
CommunicationManaging Adenoids
Clinical assessment, indications for surgery vs medical management, when to refer and post-operative guidance.
ClinicalApproach to a Sick Child
Systematic assessment, recognition of the seriously ill child, ABCDE approach, traffic light fever system and early warning signs.
EmergencyWriting a Referral Note
What to include, how to prioritise, SBAR format, essential clinical information and how a good referral improves patient care.
Practical skillResearch Methods
Study designs, formulating a research question, literature review, ethical considerations and getting your first paper published.
ResearchStatistics for Doctors
Practical statistics for clinical practice — mean, median, p-value, confidence intervals, sensitivity, specificity and NNT explained simply.
ResearchCase Studies
Detailed clinical case discussions updated monthly. Each case presents a real-world scenario with structured discussion, differential diagnosis and learning points.
Presentation
An 18-month-old boy presents with his third episode of wheeze in 6 months. Each episode has been treated with salbutamol nebulisers with partial response. He was born at term, no family history of asthma. His mother reports he wheezes mainly after feeds.
Key Questions to Consider
- Is this truly asthma at this age?
- What are the differentials for recurrent wheeze in a toddler?
- What is the significance of post-feed wheeze?
- What investigations would you request?
Discussion
[Placeholder — detailed clinical discussion to be added. Include differentials: viral-induced wheeze, gastro-oesophageal reflux, foreign body aspiration, tracheomalacia, congenital anomaly. Discuss investigation pathway and management.]
Presentation
A 3-day-old term newborn is noted to be visibly jaundiced. She is breastfeeding well, passing urine and stools normally. Mother is blood group O positive. Baby appears alert and active.
Key Questions to Consider
- How do you assess severity of neonatal jaundice clinically?
- What is the significance of the timing — day 3?
- What investigations are essential?
- What are the thresholds for phototherapy?
Discussion
[Placeholder — detailed discussion to be added. Cover physiological vs pathological jaundice, serum bilirubin interpretation, NICE guidelines for phototherapy thresholds, ABO incompatibility, G6PD deficiency, and breastfeeding jaundice.]
Presentation
A 5-year-old girl presents with 8 days of high fever, rash, red eyes and cracked lips. She was started on antibiotics by her GP 5 days ago with no improvement. She is irritable and her CRP is markedly elevated.
Key Questions to Consider
- What is your differential diagnosis for fever of 5 or more days?
- Which clinical features point towards Kawasaki disease?
- What is the risk of delayed diagnosis?
- What is the treatment and why must it be given promptly?
Discussion
[Placeholder — detailed discussion to be added. Cover Kawasaki diagnostic criteria, incomplete Kawasaki, coronary artery aneurysm risk, IVIG and aspirin treatment, echo findings and follow-up.]
[This case study will be published in April 2026. Topics under consideration: approach to the limping child, management of severe malnutrition, or neonatal seizures.]
Teaching Videos
Clinical teaching videos for junior doctors and medical students. New videos added regularly.
[Teaching video 1 — add YouTube link here]
Topic: Approach to the sick child
[Teaching video 2 — add YouTube link here]
Topic: Interpreting growth charts
[Teaching video 3 — add YouTube link here]
Topic: Communicating with parents
[Teaching video 4 — add YouTube link here]
Topic: Statistics for doctors
Referral Guidelines
A good referral note improves patient care, reduces delays and demonstrates clinical thinking. Here are the essential components of an effective paediatric referral.
Essentials in a Paediatric Referral Note
Patient details
Full name, date of birth, age in years and months, sex, weight, contact number of parent or guardian.
Reason for referral — one clear sentence
State the primary clinical concern clearly. Avoid vague terms like "for review". Example: "Referred for assessment of recurrent wheeze not responding to bronchodilators."
Relevant history
Duration of symptoms, relevant past medical history, birth history if relevant, family history, current medications and known allergies.
Examination findings
Vital signs, weight and height, relevant positive and negative findings. Growth centile if available.
Investigations already done
Include results of blood tests, imaging, cultures or any specialist investigations already performed. Attach reports where possible.
Urgency
Clearly state if the referral is urgent or routine. If urgent, explain why. This ensures the child is seen at the right time.
Your contact details
Name, designation, institution and contact number. The specialist may need to call you before the appointment.
"I am referring [Name], a 4-year-old boy weighing 14 kg, for assessment of recurrent wheeze over the past 6 months. He has had 4 episodes, each triggered by viral infections, with partial response to salbutamol. Examination today shows mild subcostal recession and wheeze bilaterally. CXR shows hyperinflation. He is on regular salbutamol inhaler. I would be grateful for your assessment and management advice. Urgency: Routine."
Referring a Patient?
All referrals are welcome. Appointments are arranged through
the Evercare Hospital Call Centre — Saturday to Thursday.