Today ends the most valuable experience of my professional journey, House job. Few seniors, that I aim to be like, and some colleagues played a pivotal role in transforming this overwhelming experience into a smooth play. I believe it is once in a lifetime experience in the life of a health professional that provides an open opportunity to play various roles ranging from a consultant (during nights especially, when you have to take immediate independent decisions) to a resident (when you have to present case and carry out patient's workup) to a staff ( injecting medication, inserting cannulas, NG, catheter) to even a ward boy (taking call book to the RMO) and what not. Such a vast experience not only teaches innumerable lessons but also humbles you to the core.
Having mentioned the various skills, the most important one that is must to be learnt during this period is to COMMUNICATE with patients and their attendants; to be able to carefully and patiently understand their sorrows/queries/complaints and then simplifying the intricacies of their condition/situation in an easy-to-understand language, for the sole purpose of being in this field as in any is to facilitate the patients/attendants in an empathetic yet firm tone. I believe there is whole life to learn all other skills, equipping oneself with good communication skills is the cornerstone that one should develop in this tenure. It would hardly be 10-20% of what you do as a House Officer. However, the benefits are beyond the bounds of our profession and the blessings you get becomes invisible rungs of a ladder to reach new heights in your career.
A tip for the incoming HOs: Be kind, enjoy, learn, spread the learnings, and repeat.
Here's to the new beginnings....
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1moWell done Amy 🌟👏