I am not about to whine about how busy we are and how much work there is to do. Being busy at work is a given, I get it. Residency programs are tough. But what we really have to talk about is this: What is a doctor’s job and what not?
Sleep deprivation is one of the main sources of errors. But many times after a night shift, you’ll have to show up the same day in the hospital for another night shift. That is why after a night shift we should start replenishing our energy levels right away. Ultimately there is only one way to recover from a night shift: high quality sleep. But how can we achieve that?
Few fields demand such a high degree of energy, concentration and emotional stability in order to do a great job, as medicine.
Listening attentively, suturing a vessel, implanting a catheter- those are all tasks that require energy, focus and concentration.
Whether you do a good job in your internship will greatly depend on what you do off the job. Coming to work physically fit and mentally strong will definitely boost your career.
In this job you need to keep your batteries charged. Here are three steps to high energy levels.
The most important skill for doctors regardless of your specialty is this one: Decide which crisis you deal with first. Many tasks will appear very urgent, and some actually are. However, you can only effectively focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking is a myth. So here is an example:
Getting through a night without a minute of sleep is what I find the hardest about being a doctor. Lack of sleep will make me unconcentrated, irritable, and more error-prone. And during a night shift, it’s not your only task to stay awake: you are supposed to work, make good decisions, and save lives.
During my first years of my residency I tested several strategies not only to stay awake, but also alert and concentrated during a night shift.
Here I share what worked, and what didn’t .
It’s no secret that doctors are busy people. Having an organized workflow is key to be productive and keep a reasonable amount of free time.
To manage my time and tasks I use these apps that
In order to keep my workflow clutterfree I only use six apps, five of them are FREE!
Interruptions of your workflow are common in your work as a doctor. Most of them are legitimate, after all we get paid for solving medical problems.
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But if we manage to channel these interruptions in time slots that work for us, your concentration and your work will improve tremendously.
In a changing work environment we permanently have to learn new skills to become and stay uptodate. In a 60-hour-week it can be challenging to acquire new knowledge and skills. But with the right plan it is possible.
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Here are my 4 steps to make sure you get the most out of your chance.
