A survey of time management and particular tasks undertaken by consultant microbiologists in the UK. Issue 5 (19th May 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riordan, Terry; Cartwright, Keith; Cunningham, Richard; Logan, Margaret; Wright, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 60:Issue 5(2007)
• Page Start: 540
• Page End: 544
• Publication Date: 2006-05-19
• Subjects: CMM, consultant medical microbiologist -- DGH, district general hospital -- DICP, Director of Infection Control and Prevention -- GP, general practitioner -- ICD, infection control doctor -- ICU, intensive care unit -- wte, whole time equivalent; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2005.033985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Medical microbiology practice encompasses a diverse range of activities. Consultant medical microbiologists (CMMs) attribute widely differing priorities to, and spend differing proportions of time on various components of the job. Aim: To obtain a professional consensus on what are high-priority and low-priority activities, and to identify the time spent on low-priority activities. Method: National survey. Results: Many respondents felt that time spent on report authorisation and telephoning of results was excessive, whereas time spent on ward-based work was inadequate. Timesaving could also be achieved through better prioritisation of infection-control activities. Conclusion: CMMs should apportion their time at work focusing on high-priority activities identified through professional consensus.