Summary of strategies
- Familiarise yourself with Good Medical Practice code
- With problematic patients or colleagues, take prompt action, do not let matters escalate
- Assist colleagues where necessary
- Be honest & ethical to yourself & patients
- Have a GP – do not self-treat or self-prescribe
- Maintain an appropriate work-life balance
- Maintain a support & mentor network
- Deal with emerging health or impairment issues
Prompt notification
- To your employer/MIPS of an adverse or unexpected adverse outcome, complaint, claim or investigation
- Do keep accurate and detailed medical records
- Do work with patient and mitigate an adverse outcome
- Do show insight into the issues raised by your patients
In the event of an AHPRA notification
- Do cooperate with AHPRA/Board personnel
- Don’t adopt defensive or aggressive behaviour
- Don’t blame others – especially the patient
- Start with and end with credibility – be professional
- Consider “what is in the best interest of my patient?”
Strategies for interns
Ask for help when you need it:
Ask for help from fellow interns, registrars, mentors, supervisors of training, human resources, the AMA and your medical indemnity organisation – be sure that you are appropriately covered with an MDO; most have 24-hour clinico- legal support.
Come prepared:
If you wish to ask for assistance be totally familiar with your patient’s history and be prepared to ask specific questions of both your patient and fellow healthcare practitioners. Consider proposing a treatment plan.
Everyone organises their workload differently. Some people do it with ease and the organisation comes naturally. For others, this is a skill that has to be learned. Adopting a system that suits you and your workplace is paramount.
It pays to be nice
It’s likely you’ll need the assistance and cooperation of a wide number of staff from orderlies, nurses, administration staff, peers and senior consultants. While it’s simple and general advice, it pays to be courteous and professional to both patients and colleagues at all times.
Do not unduly criticise colleagues
Directly or indirectly this is a no-no. This is frowned upon by employers and prohibited by your code of conduct. Think through genuine concerns and deal with them professionally. You should still be able to provide feedback in a direct, honest and courteous manner.
Performance management
Your employer and supervisor are entitled to assess you and manage your performance. But this must be done appropriately and professionally. The intention should always be to ensure safe and high quality patient care.
Avoid fatigue
Stress and fatigue tend to work hand-in-hand. The main factors affecting fatigue as a young doctor are:
- Total number of hours worked in a week - 49 is typical for interns but anything approaching 60 or over presents significant risks.
-Having at least a full day off during the week - two is preferable.
-Whether you are rostered on for night shift and if you have your main sleep during the day - three nights shifts per week can place you at greater risk.