Getting better at...outpatient medicine?

[Toastayy]

So here's the rub, PGY-2 here. my program is more inpatient focused, and as such I feel more comfortable handling inpatient medicine work-ups, diagnoses etc. I know this information should also translate to outpatient but I feel like I'm struggling a bit with the slower access to info, and labs/imaging performed based on whether or not the pt's schedule allows it.
Are there any resources to help tackle the outpatient side of things?

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[AMEHigh]

What year are you?
That’ll help with giving advice.
But really things improve over time.

Also, something I tell myself often is you don’t have to know everything. It’s ok to look up things, ponder things, reach out to specialists. It’s ok to tell your patient you don’t know and you’re going to look in to and call/message them back.

I have a niche part of family med that I practice along with full spectrum outpatient and many of us are often calling and texting each other for advice about cases.

 

[Toastayy]

What year are you?
That’ll help with giving advice.
But really things improve over time.

Also, something I tell myself often is you don’t have to know everything. It’s ok to look up things, ponder things, reach out to specialists. It’s ok to tell your patient you don’t know and you’re going to look in to and call/message them back.

I have a niche part of family med that I practice along with full spectrum outpatient and many of us are often calling and texting each other for advice about cases.

Thanks. Should have mentioned but PGY-2. People keep saying it gets better with time but I want to be a little more proactive than time..especially with less opportunities for electives due to COVID

 

[AMEHigh]

Thanks. Should have mentioned but PGY-2. People keep saying it gets better with time but I want to be a little more proactive than time..especially with less opportunities for electives due to COVID

So then I think that’s completely normal. If you said you were a 3rd year then that be different. 1st year is pretty inpatient heavy for most of FM, then things change pretty drastically 2nd and 3rd year. You’ll be seeing a lot more outpatient cases, clinic multiple times per week.

Like everything you should read a lot. So if you’re going to order a tsh, read aafp articles on thyroid work up.

Definitely read the aafp magazines twice a month. There’s a podcast that reviews them as well but the name is blanking on me as well. They’re great reviews.

 

[InternistDO]

Definitely read the aafp magazines twice a month. There’s a podcast that reviews them as well but the name is blanking on me as well. They’re great reviews.

American Family Physician (AFP) podcast, put on by the program at U of Arizona I think. It's on itunes.

 

[Toastayy]

So then I think that’s completely normal. If you said you were a 3rd year then that be different. 1st year is pretty inpatient heavy for most of FM, then things change pretty drastically 2nd and 3rd year. You’ll be seeing a lot more outpatient cases, clinic multiple times per week.

Like everything you should read a lot. So if you’re going to order a tsh, read aafp articles on thyroid work up.

Definitely read the aafp magazines twice a month. There’s a podcast that reviews them as well but the name is blanking on me as well. They’re great reviews.

Thanks this was helpful. Sometimes I feel reading is so passive, but I'll try to incorporate reading more.

 

[B1GM0N3Y86]

Normal to feel less comfortable with outpatient this early in training. By end of year 2 you should feel much better since you'll likely have 3 afternoon sessions per week of outpt compared to only 1/wk during intern year.

Religiously reading AAFP both current issues and things you encounter on weekly basis alongside Up2Date with during your daily routine. You do this, things will be moving along fine in reducing your knowledge gaps and improving your comfort levels with the art of practicing outpt care.

And also... FPnotebook online with YouTube videos of procedures (injections, i&d, biopsy techniques, cryotherapy).... use these free online resources to your advantage and tell your preceptors to have front staff schedule more procedures with you during your training...