Jenny Han and Nathan Trist talk about JMO survival tips and tricks. Learn how to adjust to internship, its challenges, rewards, and some handy tips and tricks on surviving those first years as a junior doctor.
Summary Writer: George McClintock
Editor: James Edwards
Interviewees: Jenny Han and Nathan Trist
Jenny Han is a University of New South Wales graduate with an interest in all things related to neurology since she was a medical student.
Nathan Trist studied physiotherapy before deciding to return to the University of Sydney to complete his medical degree. He took a year off from his medical studies in 2012 to play rugby for NSW, at which time he also completed a Master of Philosophy (Medicine) at the University of Sydney. Nathan plans to pursue a career in critical care medicine and is currently the RMOA Sports Coordinator at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
With Dr Jenny Han & Dr Nathan Trist, RMOs at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
Rounds
Surgical ward rounds can be extremely fast, and it can be extremely difficult to keep up. By the time you find the notes, the consultant may have moved on to the next patient!
Here are some tricks to keep up:
Prioritising Jobs
Discharge Summaries
Autotext. You can save a bit of time by saving the skeleton of a discharge as a piece of autotext in powerchart, meaning that every time you don’t have to write “Dear doctor…”
Issues
If you have time, try to read through the notes page by page and pick up any issues that occurred during the admission.
During the ward round if you have time, try to create an issues list. What the patient came in with, what the complications were and plans for management. It will make coming back to do the discharge much easier.
Escalating
When to escalate
How to Escalate
When you do ask for help, don’t just state the problem, you’ll look much better if you say “my impression is this” and suggest a possible management plan.
On surgical terms it can be difficult to get input from your registrars if they are all in theatre or not answering. Things to try:
Consultants care about their patients and are ultimately responsible for them. If you are worried about one of your patients, they would rather be called.
In the end you can always speak to ICU. If you say that you am worried about this patient” they are going to advise you properly or come and see the patient.
Starting
Events after hours
Arrests
Emergencies
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