Level Up: From Resident To An Attending Physician

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Level up: From resident to an attending physician

We transitioned from undergrad to medical school. We transitioned from medical school to internship. We transitioned from internship to residency. The final frontier, or it may seem, is the transition from residency to attending.

The Transition

As a resident, you are a doctor. You have been a doctor for the last several years. Though now as an attending, you are solely responsible. Like the Captain of the Ship Doctrine, you have made your way up the ranks and now it is all on you.

You have been the doctor who was responsible for others so that change is not too major. The major transition is how other medical personnel, especially your fellow doctors, will treat you. There is a glamorous prestige to be called a consultant or an attending physician. You were once the worker. You were the one they gave orders to. You were the one who did a lot of scut work. Now you are one of them. You are one of big bosses and are now involved in the decision making process.

For others to accept your transition does take some time though. They need to grow accustomed to the fact that you no longer are a resident or a doctor in training. They need to have their own transition period for them to adjust. It should not come as a surprise if you still end up being treated as inferior. Be patient - your time will come.

Never Forget Where You Came From

Coming straight out of residency you would know exactly what it was like to be a resident. You know the hardships, the stress and the turmoil you had to endure. You are now a superior but make sure to do an ego check at the door. Like the saying goes, “never forget where you came from.” This saying does not only apply to people who travelled to a foreign country or to those who were once less fortunate. This applies to us doctors who have transitioned. For example if you did not like a certain way an attending treated you in the past, it is best to not adapt that trait. Another one is to remember that even though you finished your specialty training it does not mean you know everything.

Remain humble and if you are unsure, consult with a senior. The fact that we are dealing with lives has not changed so do not change your willingness to learn either. There is no shame in opening a textbook or reading up cases on the internet. It is good to refresh your knowledge instead of assuming you know it all. Attend seminars or conventions and listen to the lectures. New discoveries are popping up like mushrooms in our field. It is best to keep yourself updated.

You are now facing your own patients. It is challenging to appear confident and look the part of an attending. Aside from building rapport with your own patients there is the need to build relationships with your fellow doctors as well. You are now a vital member of the team and you need to let them know that you are there. Standing in a room full of people no one would notice you until you open your mouth.

Transition with grace and transition with poise. If you stumble over and fall flat on the floor, take the helping hand of the one offering it, dust yourself off and keep on going

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