Assalamualaikum and happy weekend y'all....!
This is a story of a house officer (HO) who is in his final posting and already in anaesthesia department for 2 months plus. As I am generally a carefree person, he likes to share his experience working with other MOs to me despite he being playful. He complained about my MO friends who being so strict and not friendly and another senior MO who asked him so many questions about common anaesthesia drugs. I was okay with those complains, just being a listener and tried to tolerate his playfulness.
Last few days, I was oncall at an isolated ortho OT (only 1 anaesth MO oncall there and specialist is not in the OT) and it was kinda eventful oncall from morning- during morning passover, a patient who was given spinal anaesthesia by my friend needed intubation and subsequent cases had problems like difficult spinal anaesthesia and ventilation as well as there were so many cases pending. I. was. so. stressed.
The HO, who just came at 8pm, still being playful; did not do preoperative assessment properly, did not prepare general anaesthesia (GA) drugs for patients, did not attempt to jot down GA form at least patient's vital sign, kept asking me to excuse him to go out of OT and kept wanting to talk about nonsense things (non-medical related). I used to work without HO for 2 years plus before I came to HRPB and I wish there was no HO I have to entertain that night as I was very tired from morning. Nevertheless, I still tried to be patient.
Then after midnight, I had another case, a very big size gentleman with difficult spinal anaesthesia. After few unsuccessful attempts, I decided to just intubate the patient. As the intubation could be difficult, I plan for RSI and started preoxygenate the patient while asking the HO to prepare Rocuronium in 10cc syringe. He came with Rocuronium in 5cc syringe and told me usually Rocuronium is prepared in 5cc syringe. He couldn't answer my question on Rocuronium dose for RSI although I already taught him 2 weeks before that and he was questioned on the similar question by my senior who he complained about! That is when he really got me on my nerve.
"You just prepare another 5cc syringe of Rocuronium and I will do intensive teaching to you after this although it is already 2.30am", I bursted in front of my GA nurse, the still-conscious patient and orthopaedic team.
After I induced the patient and everything stable, I viva-ed the HO on common anaesthetic drug doses and dilution and I was astounded that he wasn't able to answer all the simple questions with a reason: he cannot think properly as its already past midnight. So I taught him again (patiently) and ignored his multiple-times yawning in front of me. I think I should be more tired than him because I worked since 7.30 in the morning but never mind, maybe he will improve when he is a medical officer later (hopefully).
DEAR HOUSE OFFICERS,
I always being very tolerant towards HOs and medical students but I cannot tolerate ignorant doctor.
Choose to be a good and competent doctor. You are a doctor, someone who saves lives.
Learn how to be a good doctor. I am not asking you to read the whole books, just know important knowledges.
Decide to be a good medical officer once you completed your housemanship training, to give the best and safe care to the patients and not merely being a doctor.
This profession is no joke, so know what you should know, be hardworking and dedicated especially when you are already in your last posting.
I hate anyone who is a people pleaser aka kaki kipas. It won't work to flatter me.
Do things properly and I will be pleased.
I, too, hate the superiors who scolded HOs with no valid reason except stressed. I would not support that.
But I want the HOs to improve, be proactive and not playful during crucial moments.
And while you are working hard and smart, enjoy your housemanship posting.
I also don't want to see any HO sad and depress. Have balance in everything.
Know when to have fun. Know when to seek help.
So, let's tolerate each other, do things in a right way together and provide the best care to the patients.
Lillahi ta'ala.
Thank you for reading!
