Expanded horizons

Doctors in the early stages of their careers are increasingly looking to widen their skills and experience when the opportunity presents itself. Recently we reported on the continuing decline in the numbers of doctors who move straight from the foundation programme into specialty training (http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20020502). In just three years the number doing so has fallen from 71% to 59%. Each doctor who decides to take a year out between the foundation programme and specialty training will do so for his or her own reasons. Some may have missed out on a training post in their desired specialty, or they may have failed to obtain a training post in any specialty. Others may want to take the opportunity to travel. But many will take time out before specialty training to widen their skills and experience so that they can strengthen their applications for higher specialty training.

Doctors who are further into their careers are also keen to expand their knowledge and experience. Acting as a medical expert witness can offer doctors the opportunity to challenge themselves, reflect on their own clinical practice, and add variety to their careers, while also earning some additional income (http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20020622). This week Melanie Rowles describes what the role of the medical expert witness involves. She also explains what doctors need to do, and ensure they don’t do, when acting as an expert witness. Expert opinions are a crucial part of the legal process, and expert witnesses can expect to have their opinions tested and attacked. Doctors must therefore ensure that they are at the top of their game when they want challenge themselves and expand their horizons in this way.