junior doctor life Archives - THE ROVING DOCTOR

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A candid medical memoir on feedback, ED training, low pay, night shifts, burnout, responsibility and the brutal reality behind emergency medicine.

Added on January 26, 2024 Tales of an Emergency Trainee , BST 1

BST 1 – Q1: Journal Entires

Journal entries from my first quarter in my first year of basic emergency training.

Added on February 22, 2022 Foundation Year 2 , Geriatric Medicine

II.III.VI BELONGING Despite my initial reluctance and the many trials and tribulations I had to deal with during those three months, I have to admit that geriatric medicine was, by far, my favourite rotation. I don’t think there will ever be another time in my career where I’ll experience the same firm dynamic I had with Dr Pops, Rosaline, and […]

Added on January 18, 2022 Foundation Year 2 , Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric Medicine – First Day?

II.III.I FIRST DAY? My next rotation would be in a specialty I never quite liked. One I was kinda forced to choose in order to get neurosurgery and general surgery. One I’d be stuck with for three months. Geriatric medicine. Blech. Imagine going from this wannabe hardcore neurosurgical trainee to working in a hospital for the elde… zzzzz. Sorry, I […]

Added on July 20, 2021 Foundation Year 2 , General Surgery

General Surgery – First Day

II.I.I FIRST DAY The beginning of my second foundation year felt a bit like a fresh start. I’d be working in general surgery once again, but this time round I’d be doing it in a different hospital, on the island of Gozo. Gozo happens to be Malta’s quieter, greener, and more introspective sibling – an island that moves at its […]

Added on July 20, 2021 Foundation Year 2 , Journal of a Junior Doctor

START OF FY 2

START OF FY II One year over and done with, another one to go. I was looking forward to this year more than the previous one – for many reasons. First of all, I had managed to get most of the rotations I wanted, which included my two favourite specialties: neurosurgery and emergency medicine. You see, whilst neurosurgery was always […]

Added on July 18, 2021 Foundation Year 1 , Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic Surgery – Journal Entries

I.IV.V JOURNAL ENTRIES Journal entries from my rotation in orthopaedic surgery: Mr Hippie had a hip replacement last year. He has full mobility in his hip, except when he does this one specific movement that kinda hurts. While demonstrating this movement to a friend, Mr Hippie dislocated his hip. Mr Chaos is pretty pissed at Blair. She’s always late and […]

Added on May 11, 2021 Foundation Year 1 , Orthopaedic Surgery

Shining

I.IV.IV SHINING My time in ortho was practically a blur. There was this unspoken camaraderie between us junior doctors, while the seniors mostly kept to themselves, tied up in outpatient clinics and theatre all day long. As always, I’d go in early to do my pre-rounds and check up on our patients. Then I’d brief Emily, and when our seniors […]

Added on January 19, 2021 Foundation Year 1 , Neurology

General Medicine – First Day

I.III.I FIRST DAY Next up would be my rotation in general medicine – having chosen gastroenterology as my subspecialty. I’d be working under one of my favourite consultants, Dr Sugar – with whom I’d had the pleasure of shadowing during my days as a med student. My first year as a doctor was shaping up to be a great one! Together […]

Added on November 10, 2020 Foundation Year 1 , Neurology

Humbled

I.II.IV HUMBLED Neurology was shaping up to be the best rotation – for more reasons than one. But above all, I would say that the three months spent in this department helped me reconnect and become more human, as it were. Here, I got the chance to start taking care of my patients in a more holistic manner as I […]