Riordan T, Cartwright K, Cunningham R, Logan M, Wright P. A survey of time management and particular tasks undertaken by consultant microbiologists in the UK.
J Clin Pathol 2006;
60:540-4. [PMID:
16714398 PMCID:
PMC1994525 DOI:
10.1136/jcp.2005.033985]
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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.
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