Advice to new trainees
I was a core medical trainee from 2017 to 2019 and now I am a speciality trainee registrar in acute internal medicine. I have worked in 4 trusts ( the first one as a non trainee SHO for 18 months) and have learnt a lot.
Here are some points which will help you achieve the most from your training post:
NO ONE WILL SPOON FEED YOU
Your training is in your capable hands. The curriculum of your portfolio is self explanatory and that is the minimum requirement from you.
No one will tell you what to do. Everything is available online.
This is the gold guide for medicine:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
YOUR SUPERVISORS
They are there to help wherever possible but as mentioned above, they will not tell you what to do. Instead, you will go to them and let them know that this is what you want to achieve and they will give advice and support wherever necessary.
Here is an example:
You want to do a QIP
You will have to think of a topic, make a proforma, think of how to collect samples and when to present it and what changes you will be expected to make to bring about the desired change. You can then approach your supervisor/any consultant to supervise this project with you.
This is NOT how it should go:
I want to do a QIP. Can you help me with everything.
This will not give a good impression.
Here are some points which will help you achieve the most from your training post:
NO ONE WILL SPOON FEED YOU
Your training is in your capable hands. The curriculum of your portfolio is self explanatory and that is the minimum requirement from you.
No one will tell you what to do. Everything is available online.
This is the gold guide for medicine:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
YOUR SUPERVISORS
They are there to help wherever possible but as mentioned above, they will not tell you what to do. Instead, you will go to them and let them know that this is what you want to achieve and they will give advice and support wherever necessary.
Here is an example:
You want to do a QIP
You will have to think of a topic, make a proforma, think of how to collect samples and when to present it and what changes you will be expected to make to bring about the desired change. You can then approach your supervisor/any consultant to supervise this project with you.
This is NOT how it should go:
I want to do a QIP. Can you help me with everything.
This will not give a good impression.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Know what you want to achieve from your rotation and discuss this with your supervisor.
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/06/your-personal-development-plan.html
SUPPORT
There is a lot of support available in terms of bullying and stress.
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2020/01/bullying-and-stress-in-nhs.html
Remember, if you feel that you are feeling too overwhelmed, feel depressed and cannot continue, ask for help. Deaneries and trusts have plenty of support available. They can help in reducing on call shifts, recommend phased return to work, etc.
ESCALATE, ESCALATE, ESCALATE!
Be it an unwell patient or work related stress, contact the relevant people before you break down/ get a complaint. You will always have someone above you to help. I as a registrar still call my consultant at 4 AM if I am stuck.
SICKNESS
It is okay to call in sick if you are ill. You will not want an ill doctor to look after your family in hospital. The same applies to you.
This can be physical illness or mental stress. If it is mental stress, make sure you can do something about this by approaching occupational health. If someone points this out, please do not ignore it and seek help.
YOU ARE JUST A CELL ON AN EXCEL FILE
I know this does not sound pleasant but this is what we all are. We will soon be replaced by another FY1/SHO/registrar if we become unwell and are unable to continue. Hence it is very important to 'nip the evil in the bud' before it affects you.
Know what you want to achieve from your rotation and discuss this with your supervisor.
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/06/your-personal-development-plan.html
SUPPORT
There is a lot of support available in terms of bullying and stress.
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2020/01/bullying-and-stress-in-nhs.html
Remember, if you feel that you are feeling too overwhelmed, feel depressed and cannot continue, ask for help. Deaneries and trusts have plenty of support available. They can help in reducing on call shifts, recommend phased return to work, etc.
ESCALATE, ESCALATE, ESCALATE!
Be it an unwell patient or work related stress, contact the relevant people before you break down/ get a complaint. You will always have someone above you to help. I as a registrar still call my consultant at 4 AM if I am stuck.
SICKNESS
It is okay to call in sick if you are ill. You will not want an ill doctor to look after your family in hospital. The same applies to you.
This can be physical illness or mental stress. If it is mental stress, make sure you can do something about this by approaching occupational health. If someone points this out, please do not ignore it and seek help.
YOU ARE JUST A CELL ON AN EXCEL FILE
I know this does not sound pleasant but this is what we all are. We will soon be replaced by another FY1/SHO/registrar if we become unwell and are unable to continue. Hence it is very important to 'nip the evil in the bud' before it affects you.
CURRICULUM
Take your curriculum seriously. Ask colleagues how they managed to attend the required number of clinics, do the necessary procedures, etc.
This curriculum helps with not only post graduate exams but also makes you a better well rounded doctor.
TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY YOU GET
If a consultant wants you to discuss escalation plans with a patient, do it and request them to observe you. If you are not sure, ask them to let you observe one and then ensure you do the next one. This goes for everything else - procedures, etc.
DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO YOUR CURRICULUM
You can do a variety of things which boost your CV such as getting involved in formal teaching of medical students, mentoring foundation trainees, attend management meetings, learn other procedures like ultrasound, etc.
DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO YOUR CURRICULUM
You can do a variety of things which boost your CV such as getting involved in formal teaching of medical students, mentoring foundation trainees, attend management meetings, learn other procedures like ultrasound, etc.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Every person can be an amazing leader. I have seen FY1s leading junior doctor forums and registrars not being supportive at all. So take any opportunity you get to develop your leadership skills.
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/12/teamwork-and-leadership-in-nhs.html
ENJOY WHEN NOT AT WORK
There are plenty of ways to be happy. I have explained them here:
The pursuit of happiness for an IMG in the UK:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
My advice to doctors who worry unnecessarily:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.html
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/12/teamwork-and-leadership-in-nhs.html
ENJOY WHEN NOT AT WORK
There are plenty of ways to be happy. I have explained them here:
The pursuit of happiness for an IMG in the UK:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
My advice to doctors who worry unnecessarily:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.html
PLANNING
Plan you annual leaves and post graduate exams in advance. If your ALS is due to expire in the next 8 months, please book it ASAP.
Make sure you have completed everything for your ARCP before the review date.
ANNUAL LEAVES
Please take them on time - as soon as you get your rota:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/12/all-about-leaves-in-nhs.html
Please take them on time - as soon as you get your rota:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/12/all-about-leaves-in-nhs.html
ASSESSMENTS
Be careful whom you request to fill out your assessment forms.
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-to-choose-your-referees-staff.html
Also remember that certain people are *** ( INSERT SWEAR WORD OF YOUR CHOICE)*** and never give good feedback. Please do not be like them when filling out another colleagues' assessment form.
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-to-choose-your-referees-staff.html
Also remember that certain people are *** ( INSERT SWEAR WORD OF YOUR CHOICE)*** and never give good feedback. Please do not be like them when filling out another colleagues' assessment form.
BRING CHANGE
There are 2 ways you can go about your workplace, career and life in general when something is wrong:
Moan and groan about it and bog yourself down with it
There are 2 ways you can go about your workplace, career and life in general when something is wrong:
Moan and groan about it and bog yourself down with it
OR
Think how you can improve this. Work with proactive, positive people and improve things not only for yourself but everyone around you.
BE KIND
We all remember that person who was rude to us. Do not become like him/her. Remember, mocking and making fun starts at a small scale ( on social media or with your friends) and slowly becomes a part of your personality. Sometimes, people do not realise this till they get a complaint.
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/nurses-in-nhs.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/nurses-in-nhs.html
MAKE FRIENDS
Everyone is very friendly from the domestics to the nurses in charge to people in the management. Greet them, support them and you will find them help you in ways you cannot even imagine.
DO NOT COMPETE
This is not a rat race, everyone has their own way of doing things. If a fellow trainee has passed their MRCP for example, rather than thinking of how evil and devious they have been in achieving this ( they have not, trust me ), ask them to help you. Their method may not work for you but some part of it may help.
FINANCES
Be aware of 'financial bombs' ie visa fees,exams etc. Do locums, save up in advance, transfer a certain amount into a sub-account which you should not touch unless absolutely necessary.
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-save-in-uk.html
Be aware of 'financial bombs' ie visa fees,exams etc. Do locums, save up in advance, transfer a certain amount into a sub-account which you should not touch unless absolutely necessary.
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-save-in-uk.html
CLAIM FOR MANDATORY TRAINING DAYS
Claim for everything - train tickets, mandatory course fees, etc through your study budget. These all add up.
APPRECIATE EVERYONE
Nominate colleagues and other healthcare professionals for awards - every trust has its own way of appreciating people. It makes a huge difference.
NEVER LET ANYONE DOUBT YOUR AMAZING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
This includes yourself - you are your biggest enemy. If you keep telling everyone that you are a horrible doctor, they will think that you are a horrible doctor.
Stay confident, be open to feedback and continue improving yourself.
REMEMBER YOU ARE HUMAN
It is okay if you could not get that cannula, it is okay if you did not pass your exam. It is okay if you did not have a good day. Do not take anything to heart. You are a trainee. You are supposed to train and gain the necessary competencies. However at the same time, remember the minimal competencies you are expected to have. If you are not sure, there are plenty of people around to help.
ASK FOR HELP
Be it an unwell patient, increased patient work load, ask for help. It is okay to ask. Always escalate this! You can avoid mistakes.
WORK ON YOURSELF
Improve yourself. Constantly! Take feedback, accept it, improve yourself and become the best! However do not overdo it and burn yourself out either.
MAINTAIN A BALANCE
You are paid to work 8 hours. There is no point of working 10 hours. You will exhaust yourself. Come a few minutes early and leave on time. Remember to escalate this if it happens.
I hope this limited advice helps new trainees. I am starting as a trainee registrar at Hull Royal from the 5th of August, 2020 and I will personally support my colleagues whenever they need it. I hope to meet you soon :)
This includes yourself - you are your biggest enemy. If you keep telling everyone that you are a horrible doctor, they will think that you are a horrible doctor.
Stay confident, be open to feedback and continue improving yourself.
REMEMBER YOU ARE HUMAN
It is okay if you could not get that cannula, it is okay if you did not pass your exam. It is okay if you did not have a good day. Do not take anything to heart. You are a trainee. You are supposed to train and gain the necessary competencies. However at the same time, remember the minimal competencies you are expected to have. If you are not sure, there are plenty of people around to help.
ASK FOR HELP
Be it an unwell patient, increased patient work load, ask for help. It is okay to ask. Always escalate this! You can avoid mistakes.
WORK ON YOURSELF
Improve yourself. Constantly! Take feedback, accept it, improve yourself and become the best! However do not overdo it and burn yourself out either.
MAINTAIN A BALANCE
You are paid to work 8 hours. There is no point of working 10 hours. You will exhaust yourself. Come a few minutes early and leave on time. Remember to escalate this if it happens.
I hope this limited advice helps new trainees. I am starting as a trainee registrar at Hull Royal from the 5th of August, 2020 and I will personally support my colleagues whenever they need it. I hope to meet you soon :)
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