All change

I've just become nicely settled in my current job, and lo it's time to rotate into a whole new specialty at a whole new hospital.

It does make you feel very uncertain when you have to change jobs every four months, and probably kicks junior doctor confidence somewhat.

But hey, I knew the drill when I got my jobs list last year. Best of luck to everyone on Wednesday when they start their new jobs.

PS, don't get sick this week unless it's before Wednesday!

Strike

I support NHS staff striking.
Had I been balloted to strike and patients would not be at risk then I would be stood on a picket line with a placard.
It's not just about my wages, it's about my family who also work for the NHS, it's about the hard working team of nurses, paramedics, porters, radiographers etc who work with me to make health care here something to be proud of.

The population is getting older, and instead of this being just a problem it is evidence of a strong and effective NHS.

Shouldn't THAT be something to stand up for?

The joys of being a junior doctor... part 1

...ePortfolio. I don't know a single junior doctor who loves it, but I definitely know a lot who hate it.

It's a hoop jumping exercise where you have to get various skills and competencies signed off and evidenced by people more senior than yourself.

Check out all the lovely green on there!

Now signing a piece of paper would be easy, but no, I have to send an email to people from a clunky and poorly designed website which they then have to log into to agree that they have seen me doing said skill and are competent in it themselves.

It could be easier.

On the plus side, I'm a completely neurotic freak and have got loads of mine signed off already.

Career development

Help, I cant decide which way I want to go in medicine. I always desperately wanted to do A&E when I was a medical student and now I'm not so sure.
As a student I always hated surgery and found it barbaric, yet now I'm really pining to see procedures and get involved. It's truly bizarre how much I've changed as a person.
When I started in August I lacked confidence and the ability to ask questions, now I'm quite comfortable managing patients and doing stuff under my own steam (although the concept of doing a mini-ward round on my own freaks me out).
And more amusingly, in July I was still a medical student, yet now I have 4 of my very own - and I bloody love them. I will be taking them for beer when they leave!
So yes, generally life is good and I'm thoroughly enjoying being a doctor, well at least for the moment.

Time flies

It's been a truly mental period recently.
I'm back at work and probably healthier than I've been in a long time and I'm loving work again.
I still have a profound fear of one of the consultants, but as long as I keep avoiding her then it's all good.
What worries me is that I'm reviewing patients on my own and making decisions. I just don't feel confident enough sometimes, but then my patients seem to be doing ok so I can't be that bad...

physician heal thyself

Turns out that you get to be an even worse patient when you qualify. I thought I'd been pretty bad as a student but as a doctor I'm probably 15 times worse.

I got hospitalised again with something rather painful which has now thankfully resolved (and hopefully this time stays away for good).

So back to work soon with some trepidation. Hope I'm fit enough...

Swapping places

I'm sure this whole experience will give me something wonderful to write a reflective piece on for my NHS ePortfolio: yes, I am back in hospital as an in-patient.

This time the care has been exemplary and the nurses truly wonderful. While I know my hospital has a good reputation, I can't help but feel that the reason I have a private side room is because I am a doctor here.

I'm sure the senior emergency department registrar doesn't personally cannulate all his patients and give them IV morphine within 20 minutes of their arrival into the department.

If I didn't feel so unwell and in pain I'd probably feel spoilt.

Anyhow, at least I'm in the right place, I just hope I can get back to work soon, as I'm actually missing it.

Development

I've now been working as a doctor in a busy hospital for over a month. I'm still loving it but it's very exhausting. Thankfully I'm on annual leave at the moment which is a nice break after some long working weeks.
On the plus side when I go back to work my rota changes again to allow me to work more manageable working hours with no nights and only a few weekends on call.
Interestingly I may now be undecided on my career path as I'm really enjoying doing a surgical job. I wonder if every rotation I do will be like this or if I've just found a niche that I love.
Anyway, back to work next week!

Adaptation

My first two weeks as a doctor have been a massive change. I'm finishing a run of on call nights that have really forced me to think on my feet.

I've done more rectal examinations in 2 nights than in 5 years as a student.

But I still haven't introduced myself as Dr Jones. It still sounds wrong. I inwardly cringe a little when my boss introduces us as Miss Smith and Dr Jones. I keep expecting it to be pulled away from me at any second.

Most of all, despite the poo, smells and endless nights I have some amazing colleagues and fantastic nurses as company.

I love being a doctor. It was well worth the effort

Everything changes

Everything changes tomorrow. No more induction week, tomorrow I am the F1 doctor.
Don't be ill folks.