This is a summary of tweets I came across by people that have “been there” or have something to recommend to junior residents. These are popular around July 1st for some reason… Have a look at some of those people’s profiles; some of them are rock stars!
Don’t make up exam or history findings. Ever. Simply say, “I didn’t ask” or “I didn’t do that” and then go back and do it. @EMSwami
The nurses can smell your fear. Bring chocolate, not attitude @rfdsdoc
Stay fed and hydrated, read - listen, and ketamine @embasic
“He did earlier” is not an appropriate response to the question “Does the patient have a pulse? @bungeechump
You want to save lives? Wash hands @rfdsdoc
You will feel stupid all the time and that never really goes away. Don’t worry though, everyone else feels the same way. @dr_ashwitt
“I don’t know” is sometimes a perfectly acceptable answer @DavidJuurlink
Always say “hello” and introduce yourself, before you start poking at people! @dancingfish
Don’t be a dick to the nurses @NandySelson
If asked by colleagues to treat or perform a procedure, make your own decision if it’s indicated or contraindicated. @HildenLA
Don’t confabulate; Pay attention to the little details @docsuzy
Above all, avoid diagnostic momentum. Make your own assessment - diagnosis regardless of whoever did it before. @cabreraERDR
Blood stains come out with peroxide @SJA_TM
Don’t immediately add the title “Dr.” to everything with your name on it. It just makes you look like a douche. @DrCouz
Don’t take off your clothes in call rooms. Regardless of how awesome it looks on Grey’s Anatomy. @DrCrouz
Take up running. Even if you hate it, it’s the best workout you can fit in whenever, wherever. @DrCrouz
It’s ok to hate residency. It doesn’t mean you’ll hate your career. @DrCrouz
Introduce yourself to the nurses, they will really help you. @McWhirterEmily
The magnesium - calcium - phosphate replacement guidelines are the most used document on my phone. AntiBs protocol comes 2nd. @fakethom
Ask your ward pharmacist - we’re here to help! @PlaceboJo
Learn to know when to do nothing @malcolm1771
Always say please on an X-ray request form! @dramandam1
Realize there’s more than one way to do many things in medicine. Different from how you trained may be ok. @Doctor5and2
Share every mistake with your fellow new docs to help avoid them @macfining
Your own clinical judgement is an essential part of any evidence-based assessment - treatment plan @AntifragileDoc
Trust your first impression and follow your instinct @macfining
Always have a plan B @macfining
Trust, but verify @BBMD10
Don’t be afraid to have a go at formulating a management plan for a patient. We learn by having a go and getting it wrong. @DrJHurley
Make sure you take your breaks, even if the department is busy. A rested doctor = a safer doctor @DrHurley
Count the respiratory rate yourself. It matters! (and it’s not always 20) @umanamd
Working hard and honesty will get you far - already knowing (or pretending to know) all the answers won’t @chartierlucas
When called to a convulsion, if the patient is still texting - tweeting, it’s a pseudoseizure. @drlfarrell
Respect the knowledge of the nurses. Especially in the ICU. And always treat them with respect. @doc_swallow
If you don’t know what you are doing, do nothing. Good advice given during my own training. Applies elsewhere in life too. @AntifragileDoc
Welcome to the world of grey zones, where art and science exist in glorious tension @amy_a_neilson
Uncertainty is not an ignoble state @drlfarrell
Never ever wear suede shoes @drlfarrell
Watch the “Empathy” video from the Cleveland Clinic @couragesings
Pull up a chair, sit down, & really listen. Let people tell you their story. It is a worthy 10 mins. Plus you get to sit! @amy_a_neilson
Learn early on to think of the ringing phone as a background music. Don’t answer it! @amy_a_neilson
Run to the code, but walk into the room. @JCBeausoleilMD
Work hard to maintain friendship outside of medicine, avoid losing perspective on life beyond your bubble @ashley_miller
Don’t piss off the nurses. Everyone in the hospital has more experience than you at this point. @EMurgentologist
Good luck to all who now have bigger shoes to fill. Accept the challenge. Rise to the occasion! Be well. Be smart. Be save @ERmentor
You can call them “legs” and “arms”. You’ll still be a doctor @ZackBergerMDPhD
Sometimes the single best thing you can do for a patient is to do nothing. Wait for more data before you jump the gun. @cheeler
Renal dosing for 99.9% of drugs are based on creatinine clearance. Never say “GFR” to your clinical pharmacist. @shery1santos
Never condone medical mistakes. @drlfarrell
It’s NEVER lupus!!! @BadGluteus
That hot surgeon you see, don’t hit on him, he’s already married. @BadGluteus
Get a mentor. @cabreraERDR
Ask about what the patient enjoys. Or what they are reading. What music they listen to. @ZackBergerMDPhD
Improve your handwriting @SaifAhmedKhan97
Try to get the most out of you off-service rotations, even if you don’t think it’s useful! @ER_Swan
Discipline yourself to do medical readin every week. It will pay off in the long run. @WMedAdmissions
Some people ARE going to die today. Some may make it JUST long enough to get to you. This is not your fault. @CaseyClmnts
The only difference between a drug and a poison is dose @EMEducation
Remember to check the medlist on D/C; look for critical interactions before adding a new med. @EMEducation
When you write orders review them with a nurse and ask if you have missed anything. Say thank you. @dboyceMD
Know what you know. But if you don’t know, get the consult. @TheWellnessLife
Take the time to really listen to your patients - medical history and the people behind the illness. @DRjhopkins
Your librarian especially likes a “thank you” every now and then @hammerslibrary
Don’t steal cookies from the nurses! @socalexmd
Please learn about Harm Reduction & understand that patients don’t always do what you want - but we care for them regardless @NurseNerdy
Welcome to the team! Remember it takes a metropolitan to care for a patient and we do it better as a team! @NurseNerdy
When increasing or decreasing a dose, write up or down error to let us know the change is intentional @CommPharm
Keep hand written order legible and provide contact info. Please print name. @TDaungst
One may not be the smartest, so do everything to not be the dumbest! @DanielVelaMD
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Competence includes knowing your own limitations @TChanMD
Before leaving the patient’s room, say “Have I answered all of your questions?” @drjfrank
Write legibly, fill out your med charts properly & be kind to the patients & other staff. Healthcare is a team sport @Nurse_Sibs
C’est la vie “That’s life”. Some people get hurt, some people get sick. Majority get better, some don’t. Don’t blame yourself! @W40SYM
You will be judged by the quality and legibility of your documentation and notes. Write NEATLY and fill in form COMPLETELY. @mjslabbert
Don’t drive tired. Get a taxi or even power nap in your car. It’s a mistake you can’t un-make. Loof after yourself (please!) @_NMay
Sit DOWN when you talk with patients and encourage them to be educated en empowered. @MeridithGould
Bring fruits and healthy snacks to the night shift. @HildenLA
Do what’s best for the patient not the administrator. @Want2BeMD
If med is not for you, that’s OK. You haven’t failed. Your life isn’t over. Get help. The “outside” world will welcome you. @JenWords
If a nurse, janitor, or any other member of the team mentions you haven’t washed your hands, be thankful & wash those hands! @couragesigns
Surgery for you might be mechanical & routine; for the patient, it is terrifying. @couragesigns
Discipline yourself to do medical reading every week. It will pay off in the long run. @drjfrank
It’s never too early to make a personal financial plan. Yes, really. @drjfrank
Don’t commit yourself before presenting to an attending. Always leave yourself an out. @abbashu
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You are a new doc, but you are far more than just a doc @CareyCuprisin
Lead Author
Have thoughts to share — email me Marc-Emile@messil.com
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