Using an Expert . Dr. Ramesh Mehay Bradford VTS What is expertise ??

When asked what to do or how to keep abreast of the latest developments the response is often “ask an Expert”. Today we hope to look at the limitations of this response, and its strengths ! Introduction

I saw a 3 year old recently with a odd [overriding] little toe. On asking a local orthopaedic surgeon he suggests a tenotomy A local paediatrician, a friend of the family says it should be left alone. . Mea Culpa

So What - opinions differ But you the clinician has to decide which opinion to believe. Which expert? When? and For what? So What - opinions differ

What is an expert ? Who owns experience? Oxford English Dictionary Experienced, having experience. Trained by practice, skilled. Tried proven by experience. An authority. American Definition: “an individual who is knowledgeable in a specialised field” What is an expert ?

“Attempts at developing instructional methods based on a theory of expertise met with limited success” “It became apparent that it was not a tenable goal to transform a novice into an expert by teaching the novice expert performance” Don’t understand this?…. Click to the next slide Medical Expertise

Or in other words experts giving novices answers does not develop the expertise of the novice.

Brainstorm Advantages of asking an expert Limitations of asking an expert Brainstorm

What would you ask ? Can you answer? The easiest way is to first figure out in your own mind why you are referring. Formulate the question you are asking. What would you ask ?

Conclusion Think about this next time you ask ! When to use When not to use Not to follow blindly ! Think about this next time you ask ! Conclusion

Do GPs meet the definition of experts? Do we meet the definitions? Areas? Skills? Development of….. GPs are experts too…. really! Do GPs meet the definition of experts? original PowerPoint by Dr. Bruce Davies