BMJ  2008;336:1034 (10 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39568.509722.80

Letters

Why I love a free lunch

You must be joking

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

How are doctors supposed to get new information? Perhaps by reading during your lunch break, rather than listening half heartedly while munching on your Marks and Spencer wrap.¹ Or even, maybe, a journal club? Drug sponsored lunches are socially uncomfortable, and consume time that could be used to chat with your colleagues (team building); to learn about something that might change your practice or might be evidence based, not just speculative; to catch up on the news—a mildly interesting fact or two that probably has no direct bearing on your life, personally or professionally.

"The NHS is unwilling to devote serious capital to fund most educational activities."¹ The free lunch does not contribute to education; indeed, I can afford my own lunch and would rather the money be used for patients. What helps education is having protected time. Not money. Or free food.

¹ Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock KA2 0BE

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Competing interests: None declared.

1. Patel K. Why I love a free lunch. BMJ 2008;336:962. (26 April.) doi: 10.1136/bmj.39556.557234.94.[Free Full Text]

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