Since nobody asked, here's what my average day on outpatients looks like:
6: wake up, lie in bed with existential paralysis and fear of the cold until alarm goes off
6:30: alarm goes off, drag self out of bed, swearing to put kettle on
7:15: dressed, stressed, lunch packed, cafiinating 40% complete
7:30: arrive at clinic, check out in house patients, talk to nightshift about own patients and possible new cases
8: rounds! where you get asked questions you normally know the answer to but are too stressed to think. also work out plan for day with in house patients
8:30: discussions on random topic
9: consults start. walk in appointments start. utter chaos until 11
11: procedure time. do anything that requires anaesthetic. catch up on paperwork. walk in appointments. snacks in between
2: consults resume. walk in appointments
4 ish: starts quieting down. have lunch? doctor on duty goes home. intern still available. after hours doctor in and out of existence
6: all hell breaks loose, no matter what day of the week it is. at least two emergencies and one non-emergency that had to be seen now
7: try to leave if not on late shift
7:30: nightshift ambles in, late
8:10: food prep, laundry, shower etc
10: leave clinic now if on late shift. normally try to sleep. can't sleep because oh man what if-
1: wake up because the clinic phone was ringing in nightmare
And this goes on for three weeks.
