#tipsfornewdocs

I can’t remember when, but somehow I ended up with a guide for FY1s from another hospital, years ago. And I can’t remember if I ever shared it here. This is uploaded with the proviso that you should always check your local protocols for guidance when it comes to treatment (particularly things like warfarin or antibiotic dosing), but it’s a good baseline for when you’re an FY1, it’s 4am and you’re terrified you’re forgetting something.

It looks like this:

(rest behind the cut)

What is my number 1 tip for new interns?

Followthrough. YOU have to be the one to make sure things happen. It is up to you to make sure things happen in the hospital.

Followthrough everything, but especially if it is important. 

You’d like to think that if you order something it magically happens but sadly this isn’t true. Yes, you will be waiting 3 hours for that stat lab if you don’t follow up on it, call the nurse, then the lab to make sure it happens.

If you are waiting on one more x-ray before discharging someone, YOU are the one who has to make sure it happens so the patient can go home.

Yes, you’d like to believe that your colleagues are competent but you need to follow up on everything to make sure. Yes, it’s in the note that the patient is on xyz meds but you need to check to orders to make sure they’re actually ordered for.

A task isn’t done once you've done the initiating step, it’s done when it is completed. Yes, you paged to let the primary team know something but until you hear a reply back from them it is not “done.”

I know this because I made all of these mistakes.

So apparently twitter is trending #tipsfornewdocs to prepare those starting residency this fall. While I am neither starting my residency nor an I in a position to give advice, its a good read. Here are few of my favourites:

O.R. Quotes ‏@ORDailyQuote7 Jul

#tipsfornewdocs Never stand when you can sit. Never sit when you can lie down. Never miss a meal.

Dr. Ronan Kavanagh ‏@RonanTKavanagh2 Jul

#tipsfornewdocs treat all of your patients as thought you are going to meet them later that day in your local shop.

David Juurlink ‏@DavidJuurlink2 Jul

As a medical student, I was taught that every newly admitted patient needed a laxative and a sedative. I was taught wrong. #tipsfornewdocs

Dr Helgi ‏@traumagasdoc2 Jul

Vodka doesn't count as clear fluid in the operating theatre fasting rules. #tipsfornewdocs

Nick Bennett ‏@peds_id_doc1 Jul

Remember to explain what you're doing during an exam #tipsfornewdocs http://youtu.be/xHKTE75dgE4 ---> This one's just hillarious!!!

Malcolm McKenzie ‏@fourhourtarget1 Jul

Buy your Consultant a pint. #TipsForNewDocs Ta.

Hannah ‏@Hannah_McF1 Jul

If the hospital food is smelling appealing, that’s your body’s way of saying you REALLY need to eat something. NOW. #tipsfornewdocs

Dave Jones ‏@welsh_gas_doc1 Jul

Asking for help - at all levels - is only limited by the amount of shame you have. I suggest that you be utterly shameless. #TipsForNewDocs