When I started my residency in 2008 I only read two books in three years. ALTOGETHER!
But as I wrote in my last blogpost: It is critical for our personal development and our career to read non-medical books. But how can I make time for that?
“The man who doesn’t read has no advantage over the man who can’t.” Epictetus.
Reading is the most effective way to stay well-informed in your field. But is it okay to limit our literature to medical-only? When I started off my career all I read was medical literature and noticed quickly, that I missed important points. I now read at least one non-medical book a month. Here is why:
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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 my most recent blog post I wrote about the best point of time when to choose a specialty:
You will have a great advantage in your future career if you start preparing for your specialty while studying.
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That is easier said than done. These five steps will help you make up your mind:
Hospitals have one great advantage over general companies. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money hiring consultants to find out if you make a good job. You just have to be honest and ask yourself this one question: “Would you go there if you were sick?”
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.
