Hi everyone:
Excuse the delay, but COVID got in the way. This note was due a month ago, but no matter…
Word to our phenomenal interns:
#1: Congratulations! You’re half way through the year!
#2: In less than 5 months, you’ll be PGY2s!
A sobering thought, no? But, as our President-Elect says, “here’s the deal”: You’ll be ready by June. Most of you are already ready, even if you don’t believe it. You’ve mastered the core intern skills: admitting, presenting, note writing, order writing, calling consults, finishing your work and getting home. It’s time to take the next step.
The best way to prepare for next year is to act the part, whether you’re staying with us or finishing your preliminary year. Consider it a dress rehearsal. Some ideas:
- Get ready to “resitern”: When your intern has a day off next year, you’ll be on your own, so now’s the time to prove you can get your work done without assistance from your senior. Obviously, ask for help if you’re overloaded (some days will just be like that). But, as much as possible, do it yourself.
- Run rounds: If you have medical students on the team, have them present to you. Take responsibility for effective, efficient rounds so you can get to work and conferences on time.
- Try out resident tasks: Complete a discharge summary, attend care coordination rounds, troubleshoot with the PSMs
- Commit to decisions: Make your case. What’s the diagnosis? What workup should we pursue? What treatment should we start? Don’t hedge; commit. It’s not a huge risk. If your senior or attending disagrees, they’ll tell you.
- Command the floor: Send your senior for coffee. Send them for a nap. If you need them, they’ll return.
- Teach: Share articles. Give the students feedback. Lead teaching rounds. Volunteer to present at Report.
- Go to the head of the bed: Practice your ACLS algorithms and take the lead at RRTs. Your senior will back you up.
Word to our attendings and senior residents: as we prepare for this essential transition we need your support. Thanks for stepping back and giving the interns room to fly.
The next five months are going to “zoom” by (sorry), but our spectacular interns are way ahead of schedule and will be more than ready to become seniors by June. The time to prove it is now.
Enjoy your Sunday, everyone,
Mark
PS: We’re recruiting new PGY2s to replace our many short trackers. This week, we’re thrilled to welcome two new members to the Yale family, Sabin Kshattry from Baylor and John Sheppard from UCLA. Both are completing their intern years and will be joining us in June (Sabin and John, the above applies to you too). Please give them a warm welcome!
MDS