Small disclaimer
This is the account of a bright pink douche who does not claim to be a doctor
As such, use discretion when following, liking, or retweeting anything that it posts
Thank you
Brilliant summary of where things have moved from 24 months ago
Everyone who was involved in big and small ways should be incredibly proud
Works not done, but the tide has well and truly turned
When I first started openly tweeting about the issues the medical profession was facing, just under 24 months ago, I was labelled with various things, but the most relevant were “elitist” and “bully”.
Since then, the same opinions were then upgraded to a “small vocal minority”.
@timricketts_ @two_medics Thanks for the heads up Tim
It's easy standing up against those you disagree with
Much more difficult to stand up against those you agree with and challenge them
If only more were like you
Deleted a post due to the individual going through some personal issues at present
My comment still stands though
There are many people who gaslit and walked us into this PA issue
Own it, we remember
@ExplosiveEnema @two_medics Whilst I disagree profoundly with what the individual is saying here, I would ask you to consider deleting this in light of what is going on in their personal life currently.
While #BeKind is an amazing ideal, in practice it has a litany of issues
If you've made it this far & are bristling because you've experienced trolls, I hugely sympathise but refer you back to this 👇
https://t.co/kJyoxBmvVk
8/8
Let me preface this by saying this is not carte blanche for dickheads
You want to be an ad hominem troll, throwing insults and threats at people then go away
This isn't a defense of you. Abuse & harassment can lead to criminal charges
So then, what's wrong with #BeKind?
2/🧵
It's boring
To open up every thread and be greeted with he said/she said, #BeKind is just tedious and not cognitively engaging
I want to see points challenged firmly, and if you can be humourous all the better
7/🧵
@MsBethanJ@ronansetron@rheumipainmask@Xeon4f145d96s1@Microbedoc2 How convenient
Either way, glad you've been able to clarify where you stand on the topic today
Hopefully able to move forward in a positive and constructive fashion and look forward to your ongoing input
@MsBethanJ@ronansetron@rheumipainmask@Xeon4f145d96s1@Microbedoc2 I absolutely respect your personal journey
But a search of "PA" or "physician associate" shows how active you've been in this particular debate
Am I wrong? Happy to be corrected & will apologise profusely if you can evidence it. My DMs are open if you don't want to publicly
@ronansetron@rheumipainmask@MsBethanJ@Xeon4f145d96s1@Microbedoc2 If the main criticism one has is #BeKind then come join the conversation & model the behaviour you want to see
Don't snipe vaguely at those trying to fix the problem with #BeKind while not speaking up yourself
It's ridiculous, and many are starting to see it for what it is
3/2
@ronansetron@rheumipainmask@MsBethanJ@Xeon4f145d96s1@Microbedoc2 "I could have and should have spoken up sooner. I didn't and that was wrong given the clear patient safety issues that were obvious to me. No excuses. But I'm here now, and happy to use my voice to help and support in a positive and constructive way"
2/2
@rheumipainmask@MsBethanJ@ronansetron@Xeon4f145d96s1@Microbedoc2 I'm going to be more direct than others
@MsBethanJ, you have a large account. If it was an obvious patient safety concern you could have helped raise the alarm & been incredibly effective in doing so
Instead you were silent
Perhaps reflect instead of jumping on the bandwagon
@iDrSunny It's easier to maintain followers if you don't say anything controversial. When you recognise that their main goal is clout not patient safety, it becomes obvious
They go to #BeKind because they see it as a safe place for them to throw criticism & appear enlightened
They're not
Main character checklist on PAs
✅ Don't add anything of value to the debate for months
✅Claim you knew it was unsafe all along
✅Signal your virtue by saying be kind
To everyone else who has been working hard both on & offline to raise and fix this issue - you are amazing
Each year @FPARCP conduct a census of PAs
In 2017 they asked:
"Have you ever been asked to cover trainee rota gaps at your hospital?"
The results were damning with ~60% responding "YES"
This question was dropped from subsequent census reports
PAs are replacing Drs