They don't train them like they used to

摘要

To check perceptions that the younger generation are lacking the etiquette of their seniors, we reviewed over 300 radiology request forms written on a single weekday in a hospital on the south coast of England. We used the presence of the word "please" on the request form as a proxy measure of courtesy (table 1). Consultants and associate specialists came out on top. Junior hospital doctors (all grades) did less well, although better than nurses. Overall, the staff in the intensive therapy unit and the accident and emergency department scored modestly. Among consultants, those in general surgery and general medicine were the most courteous, and orthopaedic surgeons conformed to their alledged stereotype of never requesting politely. However, the results for orthopaedic juniors give faint grounds for hope.