Mobile phone usage is very common among doctors, and is the preferred method of communication within the hospital. Mobile technology has the potential to revolutionise communication and clinical care and should be embraced. The introduction of new technology will inevitably change existing hospital dynamics, and consequently may create a new set of challenges that will require further work to explore in the future.

This case report presents two British medical students who contracted ciguatera poisoning while on elective in the Cook Islands. Thirty-six hours after consuming two reef fish they developed paraesthesia of the mouth, hands and feet, myalgia, pruritis and cold allodynia. Neurological examination was normal. Diagnosis of ciguatera poisoning was made on history of reef fish consumption and classical clinical presentation. Management was symptomatic (antihistamines) and both students made a full recovery within 10 weeks.

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Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited neuropathy. Many CMT patients become gradually less able to perform physically demanding tasks as their disease progresses. In collaboration with the charity Charcot Marie Tooth UK (CMTUK) we designed an online survey to determine the effect of CMT on a person’s ability to find and perform work, and to maintain their job. Retired participants answered questions regarding their age of retirement and their decision to retire. Over a 12 month period, 301 responses were received. Participants came from across the UK and from a wide variety of occupations. 77% of participants felt that CMT affected their ability to work, 60% of participants felt that CMT had restricted them from finding work and 25% of respondents were forced to change career because of CMT. 45% of participants were retired and only 6% retired after the age of 65. 57% of participants retired early because of CMT. Our findings show that CMT affects patients’ career choices, their ability to work and is a common reason for early retirement. This raises important questions about how society needs to evolve processes to help people with CMT and similar diseases work and stay at work.