alzheimer
12-10-2005, 01:03 AM
Being a successful house officer
http://www.studentbmj.com/issues/05/10/careers/images/view_3.jpg
Being a good house officer is crucial to the efficient running of a firm and securing a good reference from your consultant for the future. These tips will help make the transition from medical student to fully functioning doctor go as smoothly as possible.
Efficiency
• Get there early, whether it is for ward rounds, meetings, theatre, or teaching. Many consultants will tell you the key to hospital life
is starting on time.
• Carry an organiser. Forgetting the smallest thing can result in delayed diagnoses. Even if you perform 99°/o of your tasks, people
will still remember that remaining 1%. Remember to prioritise your jobs.
Interacting with other staff
• Nurses are invaluable. If you make their lives difficult they can make your life very difficult. Help them and they will help you.
Nobody is too big to make tea occasionally.
• Keep nurses informed of treatment decisions. It saves them from having to decipher rushed ward round notes. Perfonn jobs quickly;
don't leave drug charts languishing until the last day.
On the job
• Ask for help early. You should not be forced to make decisions alone. Your seniors know this and should help if asked.
• Write legibly and thoroughly. Legally if it isn't documented then it didn't take place.
• Take all criticism as constructive-it is the only way to deal with it.
Learning and teaching
• Show enthusiasm and your seniors will teach you. Teach medical students. Your recent experience of finals is precious.
• Read about the medical conditions you see.
• Involve yourself in projects. This is an objective measure of enthusiasm. They will put you in good stead for senior house officer
interviews.
And finally
• Enjoy it. The first year can be stressful but can be lots of fun. The camaraderie between house officers in their first months is
unique, so remember to help each other.
Anup Shah Senior house officer in ophthalmology,
Quern Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
anupshah@doctors.org.uk (anupshah@doctors.org.uk)
http://www.studentbmj.com/issues/05/10/careers/images/view_3.jpg
Being a good house officer is crucial to the efficient running of a firm and securing a good reference from your consultant for the future. These tips will help make the transition from medical student to fully functioning doctor go as smoothly as possible.
Efficiency
• Get there early, whether it is for ward rounds, meetings, theatre, or teaching. Many consultants will tell you the key to hospital life
is starting on time.
• Carry an organiser. Forgetting the smallest thing can result in delayed diagnoses. Even if you perform 99°/o of your tasks, people
will still remember that remaining 1%. Remember to prioritise your jobs.
Interacting with other staff
• Nurses are invaluable. If you make their lives difficult they can make your life very difficult. Help them and they will help you.
Nobody is too big to make tea occasionally.
• Keep nurses informed of treatment decisions. It saves them from having to decipher rushed ward round notes. Perfonn jobs quickly;
don't leave drug charts languishing until the last day.
On the job
• Ask for help early. You should not be forced to make decisions alone. Your seniors know this and should help if asked.
• Write legibly and thoroughly. Legally if it isn't documented then it didn't take place.
• Take all criticism as constructive-it is the only way to deal with it.
Learning and teaching
• Show enthusiasm and your seniors will teach you. Teach medical students. Your recent experience of finals is precious.
• Read about the medical conditions you see.
• Involve yourself in projects. This is an objective measure of enthusiasm. They will put you in good stead for senior house officer
interviews.
And finally
• Enjoy it. The first year can be stressful but can be lots of fun. The camaraderie between house officers in their first months is
unique, so remember to help each other.
Anup Shah Senior house officer in ophthalmology,
Quern Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
anupshah@doctors.org.uk (anupshah@doctors.org.uk)