Teaching/Education

Mr Nolan was Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedics in Queens University and was actively involved in medical education, training and research. He continues to maintain
an active interest in research and training through the British Spinal Study Group and British Association of Spinal Surgeons. He has a series of talks and presentations that
can be delivered to General Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and any health care professionals involved in assessing and managing patients with spinal conditions. If you would like Mr Nolan to assist your group with Continuing Professional Development / Education please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Current Talks / Presentations include

Its all in the Voice – How to Avoid the Litigators and The Regulator
Advice on simple skills that you can bring to your practice to minimise your risk of complaint and litigation. Tone of voice, length of consultation, allowing patients time to vocalise their concerns have all been shown to reduce complaints and litigation. What to do in the event of a complaint, solicitors letter or GMC referral. How to respond to complaints and allay patient concerns before minor issues develop into major concerns.

Cauda Equina Update
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a significant issue particularly for for GP’s and casualty doctors. A patient with CES which is diagnosed late can cost £500,000 in settlement. This talk reviews recent literature and national guidelines and gives advice on which patients require urgent onward referral and investigation. The talk also includes an audit of senior spinal surgeons in the UK from the British Spinal Study Group on current national practice in cauda equina syndrome.

Personalities of Whiplash
Claims for whiplash continue to rise inexorably. This talk discusses the possible causes of whiplash associated disorder (WAD) and recent research. Whiplash is a biopsychosocial disorder. This talk is for clinicians treating patients suffering from WAD or writing medicolegal reports. It explains how to differentiate the genuinely injured person from those using their accident for secondary gain.

How to Get the Best from your Medical Expert
Mr Nolan has previously given this talk to both the Law Society in Northern Ireland and the Belfast Solicitors Association. It reviews preparation of medicolegal reports, how to instruct your medical expert, when to provide medical records, payment arrangements and advising doctors on giving evidence in court.

Update on Spinal Surgery
A review of recent surgical techniques and procedures. What works and what doesn’t. Which patients to consider referring on for consideration for surgery.

Update on Back Pain
A review of evidence on non-surgical management of back pain including recent NICE guidelines. How to take a history and examine patients with back pain. Red flags and which patients require urgent investigation and referral. A review of the evidence in relation to non-surgical treatments – medication, physiotherapy, chiropractic, exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and injections.