Today’s inane image of the day:
Match day was one of the happiest days of my life. It isn’t that way for everyone, so I think it’s important to respect that and support our colleagues when we can. But for those of you that have matched into a residency program (congratulations!) and now know where you’re going to be for the next few years, this video is for you.
I am often asked by 4th year medical students how to prepare for residency after matching. I am asked about study materials and other preparation to ease the transition into internship and succeed as a resident. Every time I am asked, I always respond that the best way to prepare is not through textbooks, but through enjoying the moment, then planning the administrative/life stuff and cherishing the last time you will truly have time off.
Let me expound on my advice a bit:
1. Enjoying the moment
Even if you didn’t get your first choice, or had to go through the SOAP process, please make the most of this moment of exciting new beginnings. Matching into a residency program requires a lot of hard work, commitment and delayed gratification. I think it’s so important to recognize the achievement and actually accept praise or congratulatory messages that come your way. Do not be modest about it – this whole process is a crazy ride and you deserve to enjoy this milestone to its fullest.
2. Planning the administrative/life stuff
Becoming an intern does require some paperwork. There’s usually an onslaught of onboarding paperwork that will start soon after from the hospital. And there’s also the process of getting a medical license. The other consideration is whether you have specific needs for the year – if you’re planning on getting married, having a baby, or planning some other big life event, it’s important to communicate this to your future residency program. This will be mutually beneficial as you will be able to start thinking about potential limitations and your program can try to accommodate through rotation planning. Also consider figuring out the best time to take Step 3 as that’s a pesky thing that still needs to be tackled. I personally took it November of my internship because medical school was still fresh in my mind and it was an elective rotation for me. Make sure when you schedule your boards that you are able to get the time off and you find out about your residency program’s policy on reimbursing the cost. Some medical students opted to take Step 3 before starting internship… personally I feel like it’s important to have a real break from these board exams!
3. Cherishing the time off
What does this look like? It looks like actually taking a vacation and not opening textbooks for an extended period of time. It doesn’t mean that you ignore the paperwork, housing and other tasks.
4. But what about studying? How can I be the best intern possible?
I assure you that not studying is a feasible way to approach preparing for intern year. Rarely does studying actually give you the clinical knowledge and important skills necessary to succeed as an intern. Most of your success in the first few months of the transition into the new role is being open to feedback, good communication with everyone on the team, asking questions, and asking for help. The medical knowledge can be studied, but the clinical knowledge and pearls come with experience. That’s why we go through residency and that’s also why it’s important to take the last real break before becoming a doctor seriously.
What do you think of my advice?
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Items used to create this video:
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging Camera: https://amzn.to/333ztvZ
Rode VideoMicro: https://amzn.to/3GhH9Ju
128 GB MicroSD card: https://amzn.to/3lE9uS9
Phone Ring Light: https://amzn.to/3EwrBRu
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3rzUqZG