Atrial Fibrillation
Discussion
My Dad has just spent the last few days in hospital and has been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation.
A bit of history, he has Asthma, has had it since he was a young lad, he is 68 now. 18 years ago, just before Christmas he had a bad chesty cold, Mum told him to go to the Dr's as it best to get things sorted before then. He went to Dr's and was sent straight to hospital, heart rate was very high (130bpm) and very erratic, he spent Christmas day in hospital. Since then he has been taking Verrapamil, he also takes Statins for cholesterol and low dose Asprin.
I spoke to my Mum last week, Dad was off work as he had a bad cold and was very sinussy, he was also complaining of dizziness. Dr gave him tablets to help with the dizziness. He didn't get any better, he became very withdrawn into himself, so much so he wasn't doing the things he loves, playing the piano, doing the Times crossword and fiddling with his iPad. Mum said this can't go on, he was due at the clinic to have his ears syringed on Monday but Mum said he had to see the GP. He saw the GP who did an ECG, they went home and were then contacted by the surgery who said to come back, Dad was given a letter and told to go to Hospital.
His heart rate and blood pressure where abnormally high, just like 18 years ago, it is this that was causing the dizziness, he was admitted on Monday evening. Tuesday morning I took my Mum to see him so she could give him some PJ's and toiliteries. Mum had said he had become very withdrawn, vague and confused, this showed. We had to go as it wasn't visiting hours. We returned at 3pm, and again he was very distant, talking to him about being ill he was struggling to say words, Mum asked him about the Christmas tree and he couldn't remember measuring a space for it. However, talk to him about the grandkids and his face lit up.
The Hospital had given him a big dose of Digoxin and his heart rate and blood pressure where now stable, and, for his age, very good.
They have changed his medication, he will now take Digoxin, Warfarin and Statins, the Verapomill and Asprin are no longer needed, the Pharmasist was brilliant and explained in great detail about Warfarin, what to avoid etc.
He was allowed home, I took them home and left them to get settled. I returned about 2 hours later with my kids, his Grandkids, he was fine. However, Mum said he didn't know what the new tablets were, despite him being told. I should also add, he is a Chemist, he has a BSc in chemistry.
Apologies for the long drawn out post, but, my worry is, that his brain has been starved of Oxygen all the while his heart wasn't pumping properly, is this possible? He has also been complaing of blurred/double vision, though he has said this has improved.
As much as I am glad he is home etc. The Dad I have seen this past couple of days isn't the Dad i know. Could it be just that he's had a big blow of illness or something a bit more sinister.
Thanks for reading.
A bit of history, he has Asthma, has had it since he was a young lad, he is 68 now. 18 years ago, just before Christmas he had a bad chesty cold, Mum told him to go to the Dr's as it best to get things sorted before then. He went to Dr's and was sent straight to hospital, heart rate was very high (130bpm) and very erratic, he spent Christmas day in hospital. Since then he has been taking Verrapamil, he also takes Statins for cholesterol and low dose Asprin.
I spoke to my Mum last week, Dad was off work as he had a bad cold and was very sinussy, he was also complaining of dizziness. Dr gave him tablets to help with the dizziness. He didn't get any better, he became very withdrawn into himself, so much so he wasn't doing the things he loves, playing the piano, doing the Times crossword and fiddling with his iPad. Mum said this can't go on, he was due at the clinic to have his ears syringed on Monday but Mum said he had to see the GP. He saw the GP who did an ECG, they went home and were then contacted by the surgery who said to come back, Dad was given a letter and told to go to Hospital.
His heart rate and blood pressure where abnormally high, just like 18 years ago, it is this that was causing the dizziness, he was admitted on Monday evening. Tuesday morning I took my Mum to see him so she could give him some PJ's and toiliteries. Mum had said he had become very withdrawn, vague and confused, this showed. We had to go as it wasn't visiting hours. We returned at 3pm, and again he was very distant, talking to him about being ill he was struggling to say words, Mum asked him about the Christmas tree and he couldn't remember measuring a space for it. However, talk to him about the grandkids and his face lit up.
The Hospital had given him a big dose of Digoxin and his heart rate and blood pressure where now stable, and, for his age, very good.
They have changed his medication, he will now take Digoxin, Warfarin and Statins, the Verapomill and Asprin are no longer needed, the Pharmasist was brilliant and explained in great detail about Warfarin, what to avoid etc.
He was allowed home, I took them home and left them to get settled. I returned about 2 hours later with my kids, his Grandkids, he was fine. However, Mum said he didn't know what the new tablets were, despite him being told. I should also add, he is a Chemist, he has a BSc in chemistry.
Apologies for the long drawn out post, but, my worry is, that his brain has been starved of Oxygen all the while his heart wasn't pumping properly, is this possible? He has also been complaing of blurred/double vision, though he has said this has improved.
As much as I am glad he is home etc. The Dad I have seen this past couple of days isn't the Dad i know. Could it be just that he's had a big blow of illness or something a bit more sinister.
Thanks for reading.
Did you tell the doctors about the difference in his personality? What did they say?
Patients with Atrial Fibrillation are at high risk of throwing off small clots and a consequence of this could be a stroke, this is one reason why patients are put on warfarin. Just wondering if your dad may have had a minor stroke or TIA.
If tis is persisting you really need to speak to the GP ASAP (not meaning to scare you)
Patients with Atrial Fibrillation are at high risk of throwing off small clots and a consequence of this could be a stroke, this is one reason why patients are put on warfarin. Just wondering if your dad may have had a minor stroke or TIA.
If tis is persisting you really need to speak to the GP ASAP (not meaning to scare you)
No, didn't tell the Dr's about the difference in personality, as yesterday he was much better than he had been the day before. It was only after he got home and showed confusion about his medication did any worries resurface.
I'm sure he hadn't suffered a small stroke, surely this would've shown up on all the scans he had?
I will speak to my Mum this morning, see how he is, and perhaps mention a visit to the GP to discuss her worries would be a good idea.
Many thanks for your reply.
I'm sure he hadn't suffered a small stroke, surely this would've shown up on all the scans he had?
I will speak to my Mum this morning, see how he is, and perhaps mention a visit to the GP to discuss her worries would be a good idea.
Many thanks for your reply.
Edited by zetec on Thursday 1st December 08:28
zetec said:
I'm sure he hadn't suffered a small stroke, surely this would've shown up on all the scans he had?
I'm not sure whether he would have had a brain scan (CT scan) if the only issue was AF. The fact he has also complained of blurred/ double vision would increase my suspicion of a TIA/ mini stroke.Edited by zetec on Thursday 1st December 08:28
My mum's had AF for 20 years or so and also takes Digoxin and Warfarin. I don't think she's ever had any of the more serious symptoms you describe. It was mainly shortness of breath and lack of energy as the immediate effects. I think it's certainly worth getting investigated further.
He needs to be really careful with any other medication when taking Warfarin as there are a lot of drugs it doesn't mix well with, even over the counter stuff.
He needs to be really careful with any other medication when taking Warfarin as there are a lot of drugs it doesn't mix well with, even over the counter stuff.
K77 CTR said:
zetec said:
I'm sure he hadn't suffered a small stroke, surely this would've shown up on all the scans he had?
I'm not sure whether he would have had a brain scan (CT scan) if the only issue was AF. The fact he has also complained of blurred/ double vision would increase my suspicion of a TIA/ mini stroke.Edited by zetec on Thursday 1st December 08:28
Mum hit the nail on the head when she spoke of the current NHS, he was admitted for a high, abnormal and erratic heart rate, he was treated for that. Anything else didn't seem to matter. Mum mentioned blurred/double vision to a Dr and he just said he wasn't aware that was a side effect of Digoxin. To defend the NHS, remember this was the days of the strike and the staff were stretched to the max. I will speak to Mum again, and will mention a TIA (I have googled TIA and alot of the symptoms match how Dad has been). Dad's GP is very good, is a small community surgery so hopefully our concerns will get addressed.
Again, many thanks for all the replies.
It does sound like a TIA. most hospitals have a rapid access TIA clinic (i routinely scan carotid arteries in a TIA clinic) where patients are seen as an outpatient within 24hrs, and admitted if needed.
In our OP clinic we routinely run an ECG, carotid ultrasound, MRI or CT head, bloods, urine etc and see a consultant.
This way we can see if the AF has thrown a small clot to the brain. luckily TIA's are not too bad, and your dad may start to get back to himself soon enough.
Also, even if it was a TIA the treatment he has (medication) is probalbly all that is needed, but it would be good to know that he has had brain imaging to be sure.
edit: high blood pressure can also lead to vision blurring etc, so not necc a TIA - TIA is usually specific to one eye only (amarosis fugax) and may be like a curtain or roller blind coming down, or small 'floaters' that pass momentarily obsceuring vision in one eye.
Its the general confusion and short term memory loss that could be a TIA also.
Did you also mention his speech was not normal too?
In our OP clinic we routinely run an ECG, carotid ultrasound, MRI or CT head, bloods, urine etc and see a consultant.
This way we can see if the AF has thrown a small clot to the brain. luckily TIA's are not too bad, and your dad may start to get back to himself soon enough.
Also, even if it was a TIA the treatment he has (medication) is probalbly all that is needed, but it would be good to know that he has had brain imaging to be sure.
edit: high blood pressure can also lead to vision blurring etc, so not necc a TIA - TIA is usually specific to one eye only (amarosis fugax) and may be like a curtain or roller blind coming down, or small 'floaters' that pass momentarily obsceuring vision in one eye.
Its the general confusion and short term memory loss that could be a TIA also.
Did you also mention his speech was not normal too?
Edited by mr2mk1chick on Friday 2nd December 13:10
mr2mk1chick said:
Did you also mention his speech was not normal too?
Thanks for your reply, to be honest, I don't know what he had done at hospital, I am certain though it wasn't as much as you listed in your post.Yes, he had trouble with speech, it was if he wanted to say something but his mouth wouldn't let him.
I have read that symptoms of a TIA should clear in about 24 hours, Mum said that he was showing signs of confusion before he went to hospital, walking from the car to the hospital he fell. Spoke again to them both today, talking to Dad he seemed OK, talking to Mum she said he's still a bit doddery on his feet and still complains of double/blurred vision, though he says it's not as bad. If it was a TIA should the symptoms be gone by now?
He has an eye test at the same hospital tomorrow, this test was set up before he was admitted, Mum has already phoned the department and told them of her concerns.
zetec said:
Thanks for your reply, to be honest, I don't know what he had done at hospital, I am certain though it wasn't as much as you listed in your post.
Yes, he had trouble with speech, it was if he wanted to say something but his mouth wouldn't let him.
I have read that symptoms of a TIA should clear in about 24 hours, Mum said that he was showing signs of confusion before he went to hospital, walking from the car to the hospital he fell. Spoke again to them both today, talking to Dad he seemed OK, talking to Mum she said he's still a bit doddery on his feet and still complains of double/blurred vision, though he says it's not as bad. If it was a TIA should the symptoms be gone by now?
He has an eye test at the same hospital tomorrow, this test was set up before he was admitted, Mum has already phoned the department and told them of her concerns.
The only difference between a TIA and stroke is how we name things. TIA = stroke symptoms that last <24 hrs, stroke = same things but can last >24hrs or permenant.Yes, he had trouble with speech, it was if he wanted to say something but his mouth wouldn't let him.
I have read that symptoms of a TIA should clear in about 24 hours, Mum said that he was showing signs of confusion before he went to hospital, walking from the car to the hospital he fell. Spoke again to them both today, talking to Dad he seemed OK, talking to Mum she said he's still a bit doddery on his feet and still complains of double/blurred vision, though he says it's not as bad. If it was a TIA should the symptoms be gone by now?
He has an eye test at the same hospital tomorrow, this test was set up before he was admitted, Mum has already phoned the department and told them of her concerns.
I think as far as tests importance is that he has had a head MRI scan (or CT if not) to see if there has been an ischaemic event in the brain (stroke).
The eye test could check to see if there has been any retinal artery embolus, but this would not be related to double vision.
If there has been something shown on the head scan, he should have a carotid artery ultrasound to rule out a problem there, and a cardiac echo because of the AF - but not essential.
you must stress to the consultants or GP how much your dads character has changed, as this is something they cant judge.
Dad had his eye test today, his 'vision field?' has gone, so he's been told he cannot drive 
.
Mum was there too and told the Ophthalmologist her concerns after what happened this week. This eye test was set up by the GP before Dad was admitted to hospital. Mum said she thinks it could be a mini stroke and the Ophthalmologist said to her "I was waiting for you to mention that as I am certain this is whats happened". The Ophthalmologist has arranged an appointment with a Neurologist for a MRI scan.
I just hope the damage repairs itself, if Dad can't drive he can't work, he moans and groans about work but he does love his job and is a very very valued respected member of staff.
.Mum was there too and told the Ophthalmologist her concerns after what happened this week. This eye test was set up by the GP before Dad was admitted to hospital. Mum said she thinks it could be a mini stroke and the Ophthalmologist said to her "I was waiting for you to mention that as I am certain this is whats happened". The Ophthalmologist has arranged an appointment with a Neurologist for a MRI scan.
I just hope the damage repairs itself, if Dad can't drive he can't work, he moans and groans about work but he does love his job and is a very very valued respected member of staff.
UPDATE.
Dad is back in hospital, saw him last Saturday and he hadn't improved, I begged my Mum to contact GP which she did. She phoned me Wednesday morning, I wasn't in as I was at work, so she left a message, she had been to GP, GP said there could be lesions on the brain, an MRI scan was needed and he would push the hospital to get it organised. When I got the meessage I phoned, Dad answered, I was shocked at how bad his speech was, he could hardly talk, yet he knew he'd been to GP. I told him to let Mum know I'd phoned, he did and Mum phoned back, Mum said evenings are always bad, but she was happy and the GP was happy.
Friday, I had a phonecall from my Mum, Dad is getting worse, Mum wants to phone the surgery, Dad doesn't want her to, I spoke to Dad and said that it was for the best, Dad reluctantly agreed. Mum phoned me back and said the the Dr would be at their house in an hour, I said I would drive up to be there. I spoke to Dr and told of my concerns regarding TIA, Dr said this is more than TIA. He sent Dad to hospital in a non-emergency ambulance.
The treatment of my parents thereafter was nothing short of diabolical, scandalous and downright awful. I won't go into it here.
A CT scan was done in A&E, this turned out clear. At 4am he was put on a ward, a geriatric ward. Dad was getting worse in front of us, we had to leave as it was now 4:30am.
Saturday, Mum, my brother and me went to see him, he still on the same ward and he still getting worse. We called for a Dr who did various tests, strength tests, vision tests and mental tests (asking him personal details, who the Queen was, who the Prime Minister was), Dad 'passed' them all. We were unable to return later that evening as the ward had been closed due to Novovirus, however they allowed Mum in, Mum said his speach had gone and they just cuddled.
Today, I spoke to Mum, Dad is still waiting for a MRI scan, this can't be done till Monday as there is nobody to do it at weekends. She had again been to see him, nurses said he can't feed or wash himself. Mum spoke to a Dr who said rudely, "It's dementia", Mum said he was fine 3 weeks ago, helping his daughter-in-law do a complex chemical equation, Dr said "the mind can go just like that."
Mum is distraught, still no diagnosis, we are resigned to Dad spending Christmas in hospital.
Sorry to bring up an old post, I hope you understand my anguish.
Dad is back in hospital, saw him last Saturday and he hadn't improved, I begged my Mum to contact GP which she did. She phoned me Wednesday morning, I wasn't in as I was at work, so she left a message, she had been to GP, GP said there could be lesions on the brain, an MRI scan was needed and he would push the hospital to get it organised. When I got the meessage I phoned, Dad answered, I was shocked at how bad his speech was, he could hardly talk, yet he knew he'd been to GP. I told him to let Mum know I'd phoned, he did and Mum phoned back, Mum said evenings are always bad, but she was happy and the GP was happy.
Friday, I had a phonecall from my Mum, Dad is getting worse, Mum wants to phone the surgery, Dad doesn't want her to, I spoke to Dad and said that it was for the best, Dad reluctantly agreed. Mum phoned me back and said the the Dr would be at their house in an hour, I said I would drive up to be there. I spoke to Dr and told of my concerns regarding TIA, Dr said this is more than TIA. He sent Dad to hospital in a non-emergency ambulance.
The treatment of my parents thereafter was nothing short of diabolical, scandalous and downright awful. I won't go into it here.
A CT scan was done in A&E, this turned out clear. At 4am he was put on a ward, a geriatric ward. Dad was getting worse in front of us, we had to leave as it was now 4:30am.
Saturday, Mum, my brother and me went to see him, he still on the same ward and he still getting worse. We called for a Dr who did various tests, strength tests, vision tests and mental tests (asking him personal details, who the Queen was, who the Prime Minister was), Dad 'passed' them all. We were unable to return later that evening as the ward had been closed due to Novovirus, however they allowed Mum in, Mum said his speach had gone and they just cuddled.
Today, I spoke to Mum, Dad is still waiting for a MRI scan, this can't be done till Monday as there is nobody to do it at weekends. She had again been to see him, nurses said he can't feed or wash himself. Mum spoke to a Dr who said rudely, "It's dementia", Mum said he was fine 3 weeks ago, helping his daughter-in-law do a complex chemical equation, Dr said "the mind can go just like that."
Mum is distraught, still no diagnosis, we are resigned to Dad spending Christmas in hospital.
Sorry to bring up an old post, I hope you understand my anguish.
Edited by zetec on Monday 19th December 00:13
Very sorry to read this update.
My advice would be this:
Find out the name of your father's consultant, then call the secretary and ask to be put in touch urgently. The consultant should get in touch reasonably quickly. Explain to the consultant calmly exactly how quickly your father has deteriorated and explain that you are concerned that know one has given you are reasonable explanation as to how this can happen. Write down what the consultant tells you. You can think it over later.
If the consultant has gone on holiday then ask for their registrar to contact you.
Don't bother with the junior on the ward. The chances are they have only been working there 1 month and may not know what is going on, which will just irritate you further. Unfortunately ward juniors (or "jobs Monkey's) can vary considerably in quality and only by luck will they have an interest in the specialty in which they are working.
There can be many non sinister explanations for what is going on. It can be easily missed by the people in charge of your father's treatment just how rapid the deterioration has been. Medical notes and history taking can often become a game of Chinese whispers.
My advice would be this:
Find out the name of your father's consultant, then call the secretary and ask to be put in touch urgently. The consultant should get in touch reasonably quickly. Explain to the consultant calmly exactly how quickly your father has deteriorated and explain that you are concerned that know one has given you are reasonable explanation as to how this can happen. Write down what the consultant tells you. You can think it over later.
If the consultant has gone on holiday then ask for their registrar to contact you.
Don't bother with the junior on the ward. The chances are they have only been working there 1 month and may not know what is going on, which will just irritate you further. Unfortunately ward juniors (or "jobs Monkey's) can vary considerably in quality and only by luck will they have an interest in the specialty in which they are working.
There can be many non sinister explanations for what is going on. It can be easily missed by the people in charge of your father's treatment just how rapid the deterioration has been. Medical notes and history taking can often become a game of Chinese whispers.
Dad is now incontinent, on Saturday he was taking himself to the toilet.
My youngest brother visited Dad yesterday, he was distraught, he last saw Dad a month ago, a month ago Dad was fine, working, fit and healthy.
An MRI scan has been done, Dr said it seems clear yet wants a Neurologist to look at it, also a lumbar puncture is to be done, draw fluid from the spine to see if any infection.
The Dr on the ward today was the same Dr that discharged Dad 3 weeks ago, he said he recognised Dad, Mum said to him that he discharged Dad from the ESS even though Dad was unsteady on his feet and complaining of double vision. The Dr commented on how much Dad has deterioated.
Is so hard to explain, it is as if Dad knows what he has to/wants to do, yet the brain won't send the messages to the body parts. He had some biscuits, he held them and looked at them, he knew what to to but just couldn't do it.
My poor Dad, what is happening to him
My youngest brother visited Dad yesterday, he was distraught, he last saw Dad a month ago, a month ago Dad was fine, working, fit and healthy.
An MRI scan has been done, Dr said it seems clear yet wants a Neurologist to look at it, also a lumbar puncture is to be done, draw fluid from the spine to see if any infection.
The Dr on the ward today was the same Dr that discharged Dad 3 weeks ago, he said he recognised Dad, Mum said to him that he discharged Dad from the ESS even though Dad was unsteady on his feet and complaining of double vision. The Dr commented on how much Dad has deterioated.
Is so hard to explain, it is as if Dad knows what he has to/wants to do, yet the brain won't send the messages to the body parts. He had some biscuits, he held them and looked at them, he knew what to to but just couldn't do it.
My poor Dad, what is happening to him
I am so sorry to read this, I can't offer much advice or help but I just hope that you get a diagnosis quickly. It is much easier to deal with something when you actually know what you are dealing with.
You need to push the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists as much as you can, the hospital will begin to wind down as of friday and go to skeleton staff in labs/ scanners etc over christmas period. It will also be an oncall doctor service from friday night through to wednesday morning, so not much will get done.
I really hope your dad begins to improve soon
You need to push the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists as much as you can, the hospital will begin to wind down as of friday and go to skeleton staff in labs/ scanners etc over christmas period. It will also be an oncall doctor service from friday night through to wednesday morning, so not much will get done.
I really hope your dad begins to improve soon
zetec said:
Dad is now incontinent, on Saturday he was taking himself to the toilet.
My youngest brother visited Dad yesterday, he was distraught, he last saw Dad a month ago, a month ago Dad was fine, working, fit and healthy.
An MRI scan has been done, Dr said it seems clear yet wants a Neurologist to look at it, also a lumbar puncture is to be done, draw fluid from the spine to see if any infection.
The Dr on the ward today was the same Dr that discharged Dad 3 weeks ago, he said he recognised Dad, Mum said to him that he discharged Dad from the ESS even though Dad was unsteady on his feet and complaining of double vision. The Dr commented on how much Dad has deterioated.
Is so hard to explain, it is as if Dad knows what he has to/wants to do, yet the brain won't send the messages to the body parts. He had some biscuits, he held them and looked at them, he knew what to to but just couldn't do it.
My poor Dad, what is happening to him
It sounds very alarming but also atypical of a lot of things. It sounds like now he has had a thorough set of investigations done. My guess is the doctors are trying to look for or exclude an infective or inflammatory cause of his rapid neurological deterioration. It is good that the neurologists are involved as there seems to be a variety of neurological signs exhibited in what you have posted.My youngest brother visited Dad yesterday, he was distraught, he last saw Dad a month ago, a month ago Dad was fine, working, fit and healthy.
An MRI scan has been done, Dr said it seems clear yet wants a Neurologist to look at it, also a lumbar puncture is to be done, draw fluid from the spine to see if any infection.
The Dr on the ward today was the same Dr that discharged Dad 3 weeks ago, he said he recognised Dad, Mum said to him that he discharged Dad from the ESS even though Dad was unsteady on his feet and complaining of double vision. The Dr commented on how much Dad has deterioated.
Is so hard to explain, it is as if Dad knows what he has to/wants to do, yet the brain won't send the messages to the body parts. He had some biscuits, he held them and looked at them, he knew what to to but just couldn't do it.
My poor Dad, what is happening to him
I would say (as a senior registrar a few months away from being a consultant) this case is not straightforward. I can see why it was thought he might have had a stroke, given his medical history and even why he may have developed signs of dementia. The comments from some posters here about junior doctors being 'monkeys' etc are extremely unhelpful and also untrue. For the most part they will be willing to try and answer any questions they can, and will ask on your behalf, the consultant any other questions you have that they can't answer. They are human beings and if you explain to them that you'd like to know what is going on and could they have a private chat with you, I'm sure they would accomodate you.
This is not a simple problem, it's very complex and may not be easy to get to the bottom of quickly. It must be very distressing to see him deteriorate in front of you, but it will help him to keep him well stimulated and keep visiting to keep his spirits up too. Once a diagnosis is arrived at then treatment can be initiated.
968 said:
The comments from some posters here about junior doctors being 'monkeys' etc are extremely unhelpful and also untrue. For the most part they will be willing to try and answer any questions they can, and will ask on your behalf
You must have had some perfect juniors and perfect colleagues throughout your career. Whilst I would have never dismissed a relative in the way the ward doctor did the OP, with my hand on my heart I know I good few other people who as F1's and F2's would have done. Especially in their first month on a new ward in a field they had barely any experience in and no interest. I don't condone this behavior but I do understand how it happens. Sadly the ethos on some firms is to treat the F1/2 as a "jobs monkey". You sound like you give your juniors a much better and wholesome experience. OP - I'm sorry your Father's condition is not improving. I'll keep my fingers crossed for some better news for you.
Antonia said:
You must have had some perfect juniors and perfect colleagues throughout your career. Whilst I would have never dismissed a relative in the way the ward doctor did the OP, with my hand on my heart I know I good few other people who as F1's and F2's would have done. Especially in their first month on a new ward in a field they had barely any experience in and no interest. I don't condone this behavior but I do understand how it happens. Sadly the ethos on some firms is to treat the F1/2 as a "jobs monkey". You sound like you give your juniors a much better and wholesome experience.
OP - I'm sorry your Father's condition is not improving. I'll keep my fingers crossed for some better news for you.
No I've worked with a range of juniors as my contempories and my own juniors over a substantial career and I can say that the majority of them were very good, committed and hard working. They most importantly cared about patients and if they didn't know the answer to a question, they would ask on the patients' behalf. I qualified before the new deal and before all the EWTD restrictions, so in my day the juniors did work more than 100 hours a week and yet still managed to maintain a good standard of care. I think you're being extremely unfair on them and also very unhelpful to the OP who is already worried enough, without having to be querying the competence of the doctors.OP - I'm sorry your Father's condition is not improving. I'll keep my fingers crossed for some better news for you.
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