May 2002 • Volume 8 • Number 5 |
It's the moment you've awaited since you first hit the doors of medical school. You've trained for it, reveled in it, probably dreamed about it. And now, you're a first-year resident in family practice.
So what's with the butterflies?
Relax, says Mark Su, M.D., who's been there. He's in his second year of residency at Tufts University Family Practice Residency, Malden, Mass. That little bit of trepidation only proves you're human, he says.
Here's some advice to help quell those whispers of anxiety.
CARVE OUT YOUR NICHE
"Early on, get used to being called 'doctor,'" Su says. "Accept this position and entitlement -- you've earned it."
But don't overdo it, he adds. "There are many nonphysicians who have much more experience than you do and who can help you if you're humble and 'learnable.' Cop an attitude and you'll have trouble."
Nicholas Parkinson, M.D., a first-year resident with the Grant Medical Center Residency, Columbus, Ohio, has a similar take on the subject.
"Learn to be comfortable with your own ignorance," Parkinson says. "You'll rarely lose others' respect if you admit to the things you don't know and express eagerness to learn. But you will lose respect if you pretend to have complete knowledge or adopt an attitude of indifference about things you don't know."
Remember, says Su, "There will be times when you 'grow' and feel like you know a lot, and there will be times when you feel like you know nothing. It's all part of the process -- just keep going."
GET WITH THE PROGRAM
"Be proud of your program," Su urges. "Many people have worked hard to get it where it is now." Balance the problems and the strengths, and focus on and learn from the strengths.
That doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye to what goes on around you, especially when it comes to financial issues. "Nearly all programs are struggling in today's health care economic environment," Su says. "Learn what you can from discussions on this subject; don't blow it off."
Guard against naïveté on other "political" issues as well, he advises. Expect multiple pressures from all directions: nurses, faculty, peers, students and that nebulous entity known as "the system." But don't take it personally -- most of that pressure represents the proverbial "trickle-down effect."
Make a conscious effort to be thoughtful and compassionate despite exhaustion and the ubiquitous pressures, Su adds. Extend this courtesy not only to your patients, but also to peers and staff, he says, "Because believe me, they know what you're going through!"
GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT
"This is your only chance to practice and learn before going out into the 'real world,'" Su points out, "so give it your best shot."
Parkinson is right in step with this "go for it" attitude. "The huge range of medical knowledge that applies to our specialty is sometimes so overwhelming that we're tempted to give up on being detailed and persistent in our studying," he notes. "This can be dangerous and, needless to say, no fun.
"The tough thing about family practice is that there is no particular hill for us to be king of. For our patients' sake, we strive to gain competency in a variety of disciplines in which other doctors are always the 'experts.' This occasionally makes us vulnerable to the snubs of short-sighted professionals from other areas of medicine. Gaining the confidence in yourself and in your specialty to endure such nonsense is part of the training process."
Taking pride in the specialty is key, says Parkinson. "One of the most exciting and satisfying things about family practice is having the opportunity to use an obscure pearl of knowledge gleaned from some musty archive to make an impact on the health of a real patient."
FP Report is published by the
AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2002 by
American Academy of Family Physicians.