Use a structured sign-out format (e.g., I-PASS mnemonic for verbal handoff).
Remove redundancy in your day by adding check boxes next to each patient’s name and update throughout the day (rather than returning to the chart several times to see what is left to be done). In addition to individual tasks, every patient requires a note, updated sign-out, and review of morning labs. Consider prioritizing tasks visually by color coding or writing in different columns. Keep this running to-do list organized in a way that makes sense to you. Resist the urge to scribble notes on every inch of paper in sight. Write down every task that needs to be done, whether it is following up on a mid-day lab result, updating a patient’s family member, calling a consultant, or passing along a message to your co-intern. This process will also help you catch medications that have fallen off the list prematurely and need to be renewed. This quick check ensures that unnecessary medications are not being prescribed and that you understand the reason for each medication. (Once you have 10 patients, it won’t be easy to remember which 4 had murmurs or lower extremity edema.)Ĭorrelate every patient’s problem list with their medication list as you write your note. Jot down patient concerns and abnormal physical exam findings as you leave each patient’s room. Look at yesterday’s patient list and start today’s to-do list based on what was discussed the day before. You might consider these skills as an important part of earning a good grade in your medicine clerkship, but they take on new significance when you realize they are needed to accurately communicate with other physicians and patients.Īsk your residents about techniques they have developed for pre-rounding, keeping track of tasks, signing out, and other general workflow tasks.Īrrive at work early, giving yourself time to get organized before you can be paged away. If you haven’t presented a patient recently, be sure to seek out complex patients and ask for directed feedback on your written and oral presentations. The processes at each hospital differ, but you can start with some effective and efficient techniques to try when faced with the bigger workload. Take on as much responsibility as you can to practice basic day-to-day skills before you graduate. This is a great time to develop practical skills that you will need for a successful intern year. You likely have a clinical rotation left before you officially receive those two hard-earned letters at the end of your name. Some programs compile a list of apartments that might be vacated by graduating residents and available to the incoming intern class.Ĭommit to a date to go find your new home. Reach out to your program and ask them to put you in touch with a current resident for advice.Ĭonsider price, proximity to work, availability of public transportation, parking, neighborhood safety, and proximity to recreational activities. Some cities have hefty broker’s fees that can catch new residents off guard. In some locations, you can look at housing several months in advance while in others you must be prepared to decide on the spot. If you are moving to a new city, start researching the housing market. Keep copies of all paperwork: You may need to send the documents again.
Obtaining a medical license can be a time-consuming process but you can’t start your intern year without one. Look for communication from your Chief Residents, which may include questions about your preferred rotations and days off.īe proactive about credentialing: Check in with the appropriate institution regarding the status of your medical license and credentialing. Note important dates: Especially the first day of orientation (it may be earlier than you think). The earlier you return completed paperwork, the more time you will have to address any errors or concerns.
Start off on the right foot: Be professional by communicating all necessary information in a timely fashion. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of paperwork. Make sure to read these time-sensitive documents and do not allow yourself to procrastinate. You will soon start to receive emails filled with information from your residency program, including paperwork regarding credentialing and obtaining a trainee medical license. Emails, Paperwork, and Deadlines (Oh My!)