Bravo, doctor; you are now prepared to begin your brand new career journey. If you’re experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, including excitement and worry. That is entirely typical.
Recognizing your new role
You’re in for both rewarding experiences and difficult obligations. To be ready for your certification examinations and independent practice, you’ll be learning new things, getting paid for your work, and providing care for patients.
This implies that you will have to balance a variety of roles. You will switch between being a student, a teacher, and an employee depending on the day. Whatever hat you choose to wear, you will frequently engage with patients, who may not fully comprehend what a resident is.
So, prepare yourself mentally for the first time you’ll introduce yourself. How will you respond? Your opening statement is very crucial in this situation. Even if your patient has no idea what a resident is, you can be sure they are contemplating either of these two possibilities: Are they a “genuine” physician? What level of experience do they possess?
With the right introduction, you can quickly allay their worries and misunderstandings. For instance, if you are just beginning your family medicine residency, introduce yourself to the patient by stating, “Hi, I’m Doctor ___. I’m going to school to become a family medicine expert.”
How to set yourself up for success
Your profession should be centered on your passion for medicine. Yes, there will be moments when tension consumes you, but you must keep in mind that the stress is necessary for you to achieve the objectives you have set for yourself. Remind yourself that you are not alone if you find yourself struggling. Reach out to others around, such as a dependable coworker or mentor, your programme director, or a health care provider to make the most of your interactions.
Another excellent tip to set yourself up for success is to get to know the staff at the Resident Wellness Office, which is housed in the postgraduate medical education (PGME) office of your university. This office contains resources that can connect you with the appropriate individuals that can assist you in managing disputes. Your PGME office is always there to help, whether you’re battling with burnout, a relationship problem, or your residency programme.
Three Key Tips
The best advice is to take care of yourself now for a healthier tomorrow, whether you are on day one or day 1000 of your residency. We’ve got 3 of the top tips you should follow on your medical professional journey.
- Establish a solid support system of family and friends.
Make contact with a senior resident of your programme as soon as you can to get the lowdown about residence. This will assist you in getting ready for the next few days because every programme is a bit different.
Seek out chances to participate in your new community. Plan excursions both with your group and with other programmes. In order to optimize your academic and social support, think about creating or joining a study club.
Click here to learn more about the resources you have at your disposal:
- Maintain your health
The start of your residency is the ideal moment to formulate a personal health strategy. You will get through the next several years thanks to the habits you develop now.
- Safe sleep techniques. To control your degree of weariness after a call, you must learn how to obtain a decent “day’s” worth of sleep. Here are some pointers: limit your coffee intake before your shift finishes and purchase blackout curtains or a suitable blind for the window in your bedroom. Purchasing earplugs and a sleep mask may also assist you in blocking out the outside world and getting some rest.
- Make time to work out. Aim for at least one sweat session every day, even if it is only for 10 minutes at a time. According to studies, brief bursts of intense activity are just as healthy as regular, lengthier exercises.
- Don’t cut corners on nourishment. To feed your body, start each day with a healthy meal. While it might be challenging, eating properly while working hard is not impossible. Think ahead. If you want to avoid constantly searching the vending machine for a fast pinch of sweets or chips, bring entire fruits, granola bars, and bottled water in your bag. Buy a salad and place it in the refrigerator before starting your shift if you are on call when the cafeteria will be closed.
- Plan a trip
You need time apart in order to keep focused. Vacations aren’t only for pleasure, though they most certainly are! They’re also good for your health and may increase productivity by preventing burnout. We advise that you select when you would want to book your vacation time during the first three months of your residency in order to make the most of your vacation time.
TOP TIP: We advise against delaying your vacations until the conclusion of the school year. It will be an exciting learning process to adjust to your new work as a doctor, and taking a break to refuel will make it more pleasurable.
You’ve spent years preparing for this moment, and there’s not much else you can do to be ready for the year ahead. So, if nothing else, trust your gut, stay hydrated, remember to eat, get some rest when you can, and always put the patient’s needs first. An all-new and exciting career awaits you, and we can’t wait to see the differences you make!
As a friendly reminder, Medtax is here to assist you with any obstacles or mistakes so that you may begin with good habits. We want your career to flourish and for you to make the best choices you can. Visit us here to find out more about how our consultants can assist you.
