- Joined
- Jun 8, 2003
- Messages
- 26
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It's been almost 80 days since I've completed my anesthesiology residency at Johns Hopkins and about how long I've been an attending in private practice. So, what have life really been like?
First of all, the change of environment alone added to many of my early travails. The monitors, IV catheters, blades, charts, etc. were different. I spent so much time trying to figure those out and very little in actual patient care concerns. Then, the pace was overwhelming. In residency you had all of the time in the world. In private practice, you have a few minutes and that is it. The patient needs to be asleep fast and be extubated when the last dressing is on. Plus, there is backup if you are having difficulty, but it can come at the price of your partners thinking you are an idiot!
I have done 2 - 3 times the cases, in less time, and with less effort than in residency. During residency, I averaged a grueling 65 hour work week. Now, I average 70 - 75 hour work weeks, doing 3 times as much, and not being as worn out as I was in residency. And it finally clicked! The monitors, IVs, etc. are no longer a problem. They are calling me to do difficult intubations because I am the one facile with lightwands. Although I had a somewhat adequate regional anesthesia experience during residency, I am now able to perform blocks like and seasoned professional. I am doing the blocks that no one has done at my hospital in years.
So, the moral of this real life experience is that the residency you choose matters A LOT! Trust me on this one! I also interview applicants for our practice, and some do not have an adequate background to succeed in our group. I will write a post on choosing the best residency program soon.
First of all, the change of environment alone added to many of my early travails. The monitors, IV catheters, blades, charts, etc. were different. I spent so much time trying to figure those out and very little in actual patient care concerns. Then, the pace was overwhelming. In residency you had all of the time in the world. In private practice, you have a few minutes and that is it. The patient needs to be asleep fast and be extubated when the last dressing is on. Plus, there is backup if you are having difficulty, but it can come at the price of your partners thinking you are an idiot!
I have done 2 - 3 times the cases, in less time, and with less effort than in residency. During residency, I averaged a grueling 65 hour work week. Now, I average 70 - 75 hour work weeks, doing 3 times as much, and not being as worn out as I was in residency. And it finally clicked! The monitors, IVs, etc. are no longer a problem. They are calling me to do difficult intubations because I am the one facile with lightwands. Although I had a somewhat adequate regional anesthesia experience during residency, I am now able to perform blocks like and seasoned professional. I am doing the blocks that no one has done at my hospital in years.
So, the moral of this real life experience is that the residency you choose matters A LOT! Trust me on this one! I also interview applicants for our practice, and some do not have an adequate background to succeed in our group. I will write a post on choosing the best residency program soon.
