TIPS FOR IMGs: MANNERISMS DURING OBSERVERSHIPS

If everyone does an observership and everyone gets the 'letter' - how are you gonna give yourself the edge ? Which means the 'letter' should make the difference :-) And which means, you got to keep your doc enthusiastic enough about you to write some good stuff at the end of your term.

Let's hang on to some simple rules and tips:

1. Be professionally dressed at all times with a doctor's coat , steth, pen and a notepad.

2. Make sureyou are fully aware of what you are allowed and not allowed to do in the hospital under the contract.

3. Be dot on time daily.

4. Don't just observe like you were watching a movie - ask questions now and then to show you are trying to understand too.

5. Dont ever show that you had enough and wanna rush home, even if you feel like :-)

6. If you cant make it someday, it's alright, but call and inform promptly, don't wait till the next day.

7. Be active in attempting to answer when the doc shoots questions to their own medical students / residents - but don't try to be a smart alec either.

8. Often the attending will let you and medical students in advance what he will be talking about that morning - be smart and read about it - which means, you gotta keep a reliable pocket book in your doctor's coat pockets ;-) The one I used for my medicine observership was Treatment Guidelines pocket book by Paul Chan, since the residents had the same. I loved the book ! Concise, perfect and tells you exaclty what residents should be doing for various cases in a US hospital setting. The book itself is not expensive, less than 12-13 $,for a new one. To look for a used / new copy of this book, Click Here.

8. Keep bugging the residents to tell you about any patients with good physical signs and check them out - residents feedback to the doc matters a lot :-)

9. If you go alone to see the patient at times, always introduce yourself politely to the patient (like in Step 2 CS) before you ask history-questions - "Good Morning Mr. Roland, I am Dr. ______ and am observing with Dr. ______ for a short time as a student. Would you mind if I asked you about your illness ? It's perfectly fine if you are tired and don't feel like."

10. Ask you doc about upcoming teaching seminars and attend them during your term.

11. And be smiling, warm and confident - show lotsa interest

12. In the middle of ur term - ask your doc about his advise on how to overcome some weaknesses like communication skills (or whatever you can think of) and then follow his lead - its a way of showing progressiveness and proactiveness.

13. If possible , present a case !

14. Suppress all sexual urges please :-)

15. Avoid the common social mistake that IMGs make = don't huddle up with residents or people from your home-country only ...be open and friendly to all residents and AMGs...ALSO SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY - avoid talking in native languages when others who don't understand the language are present - it's downright rude...

16. At the end of your term - A simple "Thank you" card to ur doc and residents is acceptable and gracious :-)





Disciplined Professionalism at all ages is a must - even if you become a megastar in your field - otherwise the results ain't good ;-) Like the Hollywood Star Lindsay Lohan received this Bad Letter from her Movie Boss