Tribute to internship

Turf wars

"So you don't think the fact that she had recent hip surgery a month ago and now can't move her hip suddenly and her fever and tachycardia could not be from a hip infection?"

"That left hip pain is from her roaring UTI, call me back when her UTI is treated. If she still has hip pain, then refer again to me, " said the orthopaedic registrar who I have been exchanging verbal fire all year long.

I can see where all the dumb jokes about orthopaedic registrars come from. If I had a penny for every single stupid thing they have said to me - I could buy myself many coffees.

Feel good moments

Be kind to your patients and their families. As much as you can. Though at times this may be difficult when they expect too much and have no insight into the situation. Any good doctor can treat medical conditions competently - but they won't remember your name because you made their symptoms better, they will remember you because you were kind to them when no one else could.

Competition

No matter what - do not suck up to get above. Don't show up fellow interns. And sleeping around will only get you an unwanted reputation that will stick. Gossip in medicine is often harsh.

Taking care of yourself

If you are sick, call in sick. I didn't and I regret not doing so. If a patient is aggressive and rude - leave. If a nurse is unreasonable - tell her so politely. If she is still unreasonable, usually the line,

"I haven't had anything to eat all day, and I'm covering 120 patients at the moment - so if you can take this blood culture for me, that would be really appreciated (in between your protected meal times and four patients)" tends to work on their conscience.

Check your payslip every fortnight and make copies of your timesheet. The general rule is one is always underpaid not overpaid.

If you are entitled to claim overtime - claim it. Or else the next intern who does your job and wants to claim it will find it difficult to do so.

Finally

Take time to de-stress every weekend. Don't wait till annual leave and public holidays. My personal like is brunch with friends and sleeping in the sun. And travel on weekends!! Even a short trip back home is always worth it.

Goodbye general medicine. I won't miss you for a while.