As Pulse is looking for a new blogger, Jaimie Kaffash encourages GPs to enter our writing competition
I might be biased but I think Pulse has, and has had, some wonderful columnists. Copperfield never fails to make me laugh (even though he is the source of 90% of the complaints we receive from the public). But what really makes me appreciate his brilliance is when I realise that I’ve been tricked into absorbing his opinions and then thinking they are my own. (The number of times I’ve made what I think is a strong argument, only to find out Copperfield did it before me is a source of contention between us.)
Nabi, maybe more than anyone, has hammered home the reality of life for grassroots doctors, the feelings of working 13-hour days only to have patients shouting abuse, and how that affects the GP as an individual.
Katie Musgrave is brilliant at putting forward contrary opinions in a way that has an effect on even those who disagree with her (often including me!). And David Turner’s columns can be brutal (like today’s!) but always show compassion behind some brilliant arguments.
Each one of these columnists – and the very many who came before them – have had an effect on me, other GPs and GP leaders.
And now we are looking for a new blogger through our writing competition. Ironically, I can’t put into words what makes a great columnist. But I do go back to a mantra about journalism – listening to (or reading) someone talking about something they have a passion about is rarely boring, regardless of the topic.
If you think you can be our next blogger, all you need to do to apply is write 600 words on one of the following themes:
- The case I’ll never forget
- An hour with the health secretary
Submit it in electronic form to writingcompetition@pulsetoday.co.uk by Friday 31 March 2023. And good luck!
Jaimie Kaffash is editor of Pulse. Follow him on Twitter @jkaffash or email him at editor@pulsetoday.co.uk
Patruffini Duffy please.