Congratulations on becoming a doctor! You’ve worked hard for many years to get to where you are now. However, now you’ve finally become a doctor, chances are you’re feeling a little anxious. You naturally want to do the best job you can and look after all of your patients.
So how can you do your very best at the start of your career? This article is full to the brim of useful tips that could give you the best start:
Communicate!
One of the best things you can do as a new doctor is to communicate. Build up honest and open communication with your team, other doctors, and anyone you come across. Work on your listening skills and build a good relationship with your colleagues. This will help you to get you started on the right foot.
If you are concerned about a patient, share your concern with others. Don’t try to keep it to yourself. If you are uncertain about anything simply double check as you might have missed something. Ensure that all the information you have been given is accurate, and again, don’t be afraid to double check.
Encourage your Patients to Talk
Your patients come and see you for a reason but they might not always want to be as open with you as they could be. Some patients are nervous about telling their doctor what is wrong, others simply don’t know how to.
Respect each of your patients and try to make them feel at ease. Encourage them to make another appointment with you (if you think it’s necessary) and ask them to set up patient reminders. Some patients genuinely forget about appointments and need a gentle reminder. If they attend all their appointments their health needs are much more likely to be met.
Work on your Medical Records
When you make an entry into a patient’s medical records you need to make sure that they are legible. They also need to be correct and contain the date and time that the record was made. Your patients can even request that they see their medical records. If they do, they should be able to read it and use it for whatever reason they see fit. If you need to make any additional notes at any time, please make sure every note is dated and the time is added.
Be Prepared to Ask for Help
Did you know that you can ask for help whenever you need it? You might have a wide variety of skills and you might be more than capable, however, we all need help from time to time. Please remember, even the most experienced doctors need help and advice from their colleagues from time to time. Ask for help when you need it, you might even save a patient’s life.
When you become a doctor for the first time you might find the medical world a little scary. However, if you use the above tips you will ensure you’re more likely to get the best start possible.
2018 ·