THE LIFE OF OUR RESIDENT DOCTORS SINCE MEDICAL SCHOOL. Olaniyi M.O (MD) They are usually on the ward when we join them for ward rounds,we make the rounds slower as they listen to our patient history and scrutinise, preparing us for a presentation to a Consultant if we are lucky enough.They teach us basic bedside skills in examining a patient and how to work-up the patient in terms of investigation.They will always emphasize how the patient is the most important person to us and the need to be gentle in everyway.They painstakingly go ahead to outline how to manage the patient.The watch us carry out bedside skills and correct us appropriately.The scold or laugh at us sometimes but they still guide us on the tricks of the system.They are always there to listen to us;on the corridors,in the ward,on the phone,in the class etc.They are patient,they tolerate our ignorance as we gradually progress.We leave them on the ward as we go back for lectures/tutorials.After the rounds they sort out the post rounds with the house officers.Subsequently,they hang around for consult while studying their books and journals for updates.Sometimes they take our tutorials later in the day before going home if not on call.If on call,they balance their busy patient care with the need to help us be prospective house officers.Sometimes they take our lectures. They may have only 2hours to themselves during a call duty and instead of using it to sleep,they study for their exams and also compile a summary of the patients admitted for seniors review.On the consultant ward rounds,they are insulted for our mistakes,accused for unseriousness while we look amazed considering the level of effort they put into patient care. In pathology sessions,they help us with the practicals,showing us which is which.Going ahead to tell us the personality of some of our Profs/Consultants in order not to provoke them in exams.When we feel discouraged,they encourage us and tell us they were once like us,even worse atimes but today,here they are! As a new house officer,they are always tolerating our mistakes,correcting them and making us realise the weight it bears on patient care.The personality of each resident may alter the mode of correction however theres usually nothing personal!They advice us even on our personal lives.They help consultants carry out personal errands and also help a great deal in research.Residency makes no time for fun as the little time they have for themselves is either spent studying or with their families.A resident may spend 2 to 3 straight days in the hospital without going home. They are not always under pressure. The HOD of a department once released a group of residents in his department 2days to a post-graduate exams and told them to travel back a day after the exams and resume work the next day(whether you pass or fail).It wasnt personal,the residents in the department were few and it meant things will be very difficult during their absence.Medical schools cannot function without resident Doctors and a Consultant is of little value without resident Doctors.Locum Doctors can never replace the role of resident Doctors. What is a Teaching Hospital or a Federal Medical Centre without Resident Doctors? #Bringbackourresidents.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:09:05 +0000
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