How To Deal With Superiors
By bayenn
@bayenn (68)
Philippines
April 3, 2007 5:22am CST
My life as a post-graduate intern is almost finally over and I only have one more month to go before I end my hospital duties and review for the upcoming medical boards. For the past two years therefore I have been exposed to various kinds of superiors, from residents to junior consultants and consultants. While there is no basis to compare them with each other, considering that there will always be somebody much better than the others, my exposure in the hospital has taught me how to deal with the various personalities in my workplace as an intern.
For incoming interns, here are a few tips:
1. The resident/junior consultant/consultant is always RIGHT. Even if they are glaringly wrong, by being simply more superior than you has given them the right to be RIGHT ... all the time. Therefore, it is pointless to argue with someone who is RIGHT. You can never be RIGHT always and as an intern you are the most prone to making mistakes. Therefore, in your acts of wrongdoings, make sure you don't come into argument with your boss. Simply keep your mouth shut. Don't even attempt to explain. Just shut your mouth.
2. As corollary to tip no. 1, NEVER complain in the presence of your resident/junior consultant/consultant. As an intern, you have no right to complain. Just do as you were told. However, if you are unclear with the instructions, you make want to clarify or ask questions before you do what you are told to do. In this way, you avoid making mistakes and incidents wherein you have to be confronted by your boss in public.
3. Be respectful, even if your resident/junior consultant/consultant is not deserving of human respect. While you may be just an intern, it doesn't mean you are no less than human being. Be the better person and still remain as civil as possible.
4. Know your resident's/junior consultant's/consultant's style and habits. Some residents do rounds early in the morning, or would have preferences as to making histories, progress notes and the like. Make sure you are aware of these intricate details so as to win the favor of your boss.
5. Love your resident/junior consultant/consultant. They may act satanic and cruel but they are humans, and perhaps the kind of humans who are in need of loving.
Good luck in internship, people!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@ethanmama (1745)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
Hi, bayenn! Firstly, I want to congratulate you on almost finishing your post graduate internship. I've been an intern myself about 11 years ago. I have not been in direct contact with interns as a consultant for quite a while, since I'm an ophthalmologist and we have mostly an outpatient practice, and it's quite a surprise to me that interns are now 10 years younger than I am. I feel old already :P
Anyway, from your post, you seem to have a lot of anger towards your superiors. I can understand why this is so. You probably feel that your superiors pick on you. I will not say that this is not so, because I did feel that way when I was an intern. I felt that they were wrong and I was right sometimes. However, there is a reason for this. As far as the patient is concerned, it's THEIR neck on the line. They are answerable for any mistakes or wrong decisions, if there is one. As an intern, the most you will be subjected to is a reprimand from your superiors and/or some demerits. You will soon feel the same way when you are directly responsible for your patients. Of course, there are also "power trippers" around, even interns! When I was a clerk, there were some interns who always seem to be picking on the clerks. As long as you are under somebody, you will always be in the same situation. But when I was a resident, I thought that my interns had it easier than I did when I was an intern. I was the one to wake up for midnight calls and my intern was nowhere to be found! That's an ophtha rotation, mind you, so it was not a "toxic" rotation at all!
Are you going into residency or are you going to practice as a GP immediately after the boards? If you go into residency, you're going to experience more of what you described, so be prepared! :D
Whatever you decide, I hope you will get what you always dreamed of!
@bayenn (68)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
yes i do have some anger towards some of my superiors, if not all, but then again i guess this is a natural thing. All of us, doctors and maybe future doctors, must undergo this hellish tradition. BUt mind you, i enjoyed my rotation at ophthalmology. I had the best resident and he was very supportive. But i won't take up ophthalmology after the boards. I am thinking more of taking up pediatrics. But maybe I do some "moonlighting" after the boards. Is that okay? What advice can you give to a pre-board intern like me? Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@ethanmama (1745)
• Philippines
10 Apr 07
I think that it would be better if you go straight to your residency. Moonlighting really doesn't pay much. Residency allowances may seem small at first glance, but remember a pedia residency is only 3 years anyway. It will be over before you know it, and in the meantime, you do get some earnings. You have better job opportunities when you finish residency rather than if you just do "moonlighting" as a general practitioner. You can moonlight after residency, or look for a retainership, or build your own clinic, or do all three. Trust me on this. You'll want to focus on build a good, long term practice. Do not focus on the short term benefits of moonlighting.. In the mean time, you can build up a business on the side, or try internet opportunities, as I've mentioned. Do message me if you are interested.
@chengjen (65)
• Philippines
3 Apr 07
god!!! you're life must have been hell!! im also an intern and yes, one had practically be a lap dog soo as to survive the whole internship. practically being robotic and a wall flower would be the best way to go so you won't get shot at everytime. hehe
