'Don't sweat the birdseed': Sage advice your physician peers would offer their younger selves

Experience, they say, is the best teacher. With that in mind, we asked you in October to tell us what advice you’d impart if you could go back in time—as far back as your years in medical residency—and talk to your younger self. Young doctors, listen up: we’ve gathered some pearls of wisdom for you, from physicians across the country who have offered them from the perspective of experience. There may also be some valuable bits for those among you who no longer fit into the spring-chicken category. Consider, for example, Dr. Stephen Sullivan's advice to spend more time talking to patients and less time reading textbooks and journals—this is wisdom for the ages, is it not? Dr. Sullivan, who is in Victoria, B.C., also cautioned against sweating the “birdseed.” More on that below. From neighbouring Okanagan Falls, B.C., family physician Dr. Carmen Eadie urged her younger self to “enter an esoteric specialty or get into a career that provides benefits and a pension.” Meanwhile, Dr. Brian Knight in Edmonton was all about bringing his healthy younger self to the workplace. “Don’t come to work sick,” was the advice he gave. Let’s dig deep into the treasure chest to see what other brilliant gems our readers have shared. Read: This time, I had to listen to myself Choose rural and pay your staff well Choose your province wisely Run away—in another direction No regrets but it was easier then With your permission, here's my advice Hang in there, however tough or unfair things get Enjoy life, buy real estate and other truly sage advice Dr. Raghu Venugopal, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and attending emergency department physician at the University Health Network, had a lot to say to his younger self. And it's all good. You will get faster. Jumping from hospital to hospital where you don’t know how to truly “get things done” impedes your flow of patients. Don’t worry. A couple of years into practise you will pick up your pace and know how to get things done more efficient for your patients. You will not master and learn it all in residency. Learning continues your entire career, even at the rate you are learning in residency. Don’t expect to graduate a master, it takes time. You have time. Ask for honest performance feedback. The best advice and feedback is sometimes critical of you. Ask honestly your staff how you can do better. Being told “you’re doing well” does not push you and identify weaknesses. Be honest about what you don’t understand. Don’t be afraid to ask honest questions. 21 years after starting residency there are parts of medicine I still don’t fully understand. Ask about the real world of doctoring. Ask genuine questions about income and finances with your staff. Most are willing to tell you the truth. Ask about the dark side of medicine. Ask the right staff you have a good relationship with to share with you the darker side of medicine – complaints, lawsuits, controversial cases so you get an idea of what you are getting involved with in your discipline, and how to stay out of trouble. Real estate: buy a condo and get into the market. Insurance: maximize all forms of it when you are young and healthy. Work where you love to live. This advice was given to me, and it remains true. It’s not always possible, but think about it. Enjoy life a bit more. In residency you have knowledge and you are able to work independent. The tendency is we throw ourselves into medicine and nothing more. Chances are you live in a vibrant city or community. Step out and explore a bit more. Read: The best or worst of times for medical students? Don't sweat the birdseed What does that mean, you ask? You'll find the explanation below, along with more wisdom from Dr. Sullivan. Learn the three commonest causes of anything. Those three will probably account for 90% of all of the causes. Don't sweat the birdseed. Know how to recognize and manage conditions that might kill the patient before you have time to look up what to do. Don't memorize non-essentials but know where to find them when you need them. Never leave a question unanswered. Find the answer ASAP. Say "yes" to unexpected offers of responsibility, special training or experience. Devote time to family and friends. Read novels and non-fiction. Exercise daily. Sleep well. Stay out of medical politics. Read: Why does family medicine matter?

'Don't sweat the birdseed': Sage advice your physician peers would offer their younger selves

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