Inpatient month going BACK TO BACK!!

Inpatient month going BACK TO BACK!

( in my Drake rapping voice)

January made it 1.5 years into residency with 1.5 years left to go! The halfway mark!

The last two months, I spent my rotations in the inpatient setting. As a second year, I can see the growth from being an intern resident to a second year resident. The brain moves quicker, the attending trust you, and you are more comfortable in the role as a physician.

My month of December I worked with a team of residents. Usually the team consist of 3-4 residents which includes a resident from each year. My residency program currently has an “regrouping” for interns every December so my team was a bit different. My team consist of 4 residents (3 PGY-2 and 1 PGY-3). Duties were delegated equally which allowed us to work more efficiently. The hours were long with sick ailing patients. However with the camaraderie and the support our team had for one another, it made a difficult and demanding month a little less stressful.

My month of January I again worked in the inpatient setting however I was the only resident working with an attending. A typical day at the hospital for a resident is to start with pre-round (look at the vitals, labs, performing a physical exam, and establish an assessment and plan) every morning and then round (discuss the patients and see the patients with the attending). At this hospital, after the patients were seen with the attending; he headed to his clinic and I will manage the patients and the patients coming from the ER.

Now the attending was a call away so I never felt alone. However, as a second year there are situations you are expected to manage. Therefore, whenever a nurse had a question or concern I was the one they spoke to.

As expected, my inpatient months was filled with sick patients and what a tremendous learning experience it was. From rare medical disease (Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease I may never see in my life again) to common medical disease (Congestive Heart Failure exacerbation). Working with different attendings who at times had different approaches managing medical conditions allowed me to determine how I will practice medicine when I complete my residency program.

In the thick of it, I felt tired and felt defeated. However, I noticed the change in my abilities and felt blessed to experience this. One thing for sure, Great things never come from comfort zones!

A few things that kept me refreshed and remains rejuvenated

1. Pray/Meditate. I took it upon myself to make sure I set time apart for daily devotion and daily prayer. This assisted me to have a calm approach to stressful situations. Mediation is also helpful. Allowing your mind to reset and which allows one to think differently and clearly.

2. Exercise. I needed a way to release all my frustrations out (because you will encounter it) . The adrenaline and endorphins not only stimulated my body but also my mind.

3. Spending time with myself. I attempted to take a day every week for myself. (Sometimes it would be every other week.) During that day, I did something for myself. Whether it was a manicure, pedicure, or laying in bed and watching Netflix’s YOU.

4. Spend time with my loved ones. Although time played a factor. I attended a Comedy show in December, date night with my fiancé, and a lunch date with my co-residents. Allowing your mind to take a break and enjoying your life outside of medicine.

All the best!

Dr. A