Guest Post Topic Ideas

Not sure what to write about?

Here’s a curated list of high-impact, reader-friendly topics we’d love to publish on ScrubTales. You’re welcome to choose from this list or pitch your own idea — as long as it’s useful, practical, and relevant to healthcare professionals working in or entering the NHS.

Submit Here
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1. OSCE Stations, Guides & Tips

Ideal for medical students, PLAB 2 candidates, and junior doctors preparing for clinical assessments.

Clinical Examinations

  • Cardiovascular exam
  • Respiratory exam
  • Abdominal exam
  • Cranial nerve, upper & lower limb neuro exams
  • Thyroid, breast, lymph node, and PVD exams
  • GALS and MSK screening
  • Fundoscopy
  • Male/female genital exam (incl. consent & chaperone tips)

Practical Procedures

  • Venepuncture, cannulation
  • Blood pressure measurement
  • Oxygen therapy devices
  • Peak flow, spirometry
  • ECG placement & interpretation
  • NG tube insertion
  • Foley catheter insertion (male/female)
  • Basic life support (BLS), CPR, AED
  • Wound dressing, suturing, handwashing/PPE

Communication & History-Taking

  • Breaking bad news
  • DNAR conversation
  • Alcohol, smoking, sexual history
  • Psychiatric history & suicide risk
  • Explaining diagnoses (asthma, epilepsy, diabetes)
  • Consent for procedures
  • Angry patient/relative scenario
  • Capacity and best interests
  • Explaining investigations/results (X-ray, ECG)

Admin & Miscellaneous

  • Writing drug charts / prescriptions
  • Interpreting ABGs
  • GCS calculation
  • Mental Capacity Act basics
  • SBAR referrals
  • Writing a discharge summary or clerking
  • Discussing post-op complications

2. IMG Journey & NHS Transition

  • How I got my first NHS job as an IMG
  • What to expect from your first on-call rota
  • Clinical attachment: what I learned
  • Adapting to NHS culture and communication
  • Visa, COS, and GMC registration tips
  • Moving from India/Philippines/Nigeria to the UK
  • Adjusting to working with MDTs
  • Navigating NHS systems (Careflow, ICE, Epic, SystmOne)

3. Exam Preparation (PLAB / MRCP / OSCE)

  • How I passed PLAB 1/2 and what resources I used
  • MRCP Part 1/2: honest experience and revision strategy
  • How to prepare for OSCEs as a student or IMG
  • PLAB vs MRCP vs GP training: which path worked for me
  • How to stay motivated during exam prep
  • Revision apps and books I swear by
  • Online vs in-person courses: pros and cons

4. Clinical Tips & Real-World Skills

  • How to write a high-quality discharge summary
  • Tips for efficient and safe ward rounds
  • SBAR handover examples that actually work
  • Clerking shortcuts and what not to miss
  • Managing common ward jobs (fluids, TTOs, catheters)
  • On-call survival guide
  • Prioritisation tips for busy shifts
  • Common drug errors and how to avoid them

5. Audit, QIP & Portfolio Reflections

  • How I did my first audit (step-by-step)
  • QIP ideas for Foundation Year doctors or IMGs
  • Lessons from an audit that failed
  • Writing reflections that aren’t cringe
  • How to organise a teaching session with feedback
  • Understanding MSF, CBD, DOPS, and ePortfolio entries
  • Using audit or teaching for your IMT/GP application

6. Career Progression & Specialty Pathways

  • My IMT or GP interview experience
  • How to build your NHS portfolio as an IMG
  • Why I became a Clinical Teaching Fellow
  • Switching specialties: what to consider
  • How to network and find mentors in the NHS
  • Job hunting on Trac and Oriel: tips that worked
  • My route into academic medicine or education
  • Tier 2 sponsorship or visa extension tips

7. Personal Stories & Reflections

  • My toughest day in the NHS
  • Burnout and what helped me cope
  • The moment I knew I chose the right specialty
  • Life as a new HCA/OT/Nurse in the UK
  • Lessons from a mistake I made on the ward
  • Dealing with imposter syndrome
  • When I nearly quit medicine – and what stopped me

8. Medical Education & Updates

  • New NICE guideline breakdowns
  • How to teach effectively as a junior doctor
  • Audit cycle explained clearly
  • NHS acronyms every new doctor should know
  • Helpful websites, blogs, and resources I use
  • NHS digital tools: Careflow, Epic, ICE, etc.
  • The role of AI and digital health in the NHS

9. Something Else?

If you have a topic that doesn’t fit into these categories — even better!

Use the “Other” category when submitting your post and let us know how your idea will help doctors or healthcare professionals working in the NHS.

Submit Here
Check Guidelines

Questions or topic ideas? Email: [email protected]