How to excel your Housemanship!

 

Throw your Ego Away!

How do they judge your performance at the workplace?

I was lucky that I met a very helpful senior during my first posting. There are a few things he taught me - directly or indirectly - on how to cruise through Housemanship. Overall, I would have liked to do better for my HOship, but I would say I have done my best and there are not regrets. 

Generally, you are evaluated by your superior, ie, your specialists (mainly) and your MOs. A large portion of your performance is objectively scored. The more "invisible" way of assessment would be your soft skills. I personally think that your knowledge and hard work can only take you so far - after all, we are all replaceable. Knowing the right person at the right time and open up a world of endless possibilities. 

1. Logbook, SKT, LNPT and HRMIS

Starting off with the mundane subjects, take some time to organise your documentation. Think of it as a diary of your journey for the next 2 years. 

Logbook - differs by departments but they have a list of certain skills and knowledge you should be able to perform independently once you are close to finishing your rotations. You will need to fill in the diagnosis and MRN of patients you have seen with that particular condition / procedure. One way I like to take note of my patients would be to snap photos on my phone or compile their registered stickers before filling in all together. I would advise filling your logbook in stages, ie, aim to fill up a certain percentage by month. The skill of filling logbooks will carry forward throughout your career, during specialisation, etc. 

Sasaran Kerja Tahunan (SKT) - The government's way of keeping track on servant performance. You will have to identify your job scope in the department and fill it manually in the green papers you are given at the start of every new posting. HOs will get one at every posting. MOs will only need to fill in online at HRMIS. 

Laporan Nilaian Prestasi Tahunan (LNPT) - Part 2 of the green papers you are given. Fill up and get assessed by your mentor in each department. Usually the Head of Department will be the second assessor. 

Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) - This will only be more relevant during your transition to and during MO years. As HOs, you will need to fill this up online. Your respective hospitals will brief you about this and help create your account.

All the above are very IMPORTANT and will be with you until you retire from the government. Make the effort to learn about them. 

2. Make friends at best, colleagues at least! (#kitajagakita)

Drop your ego. You can never manage your patient alone. The simplest scenario would be ACLS /ATLS. This is a no brainer and I cannot emphasise this often enough. You can save up on so many things by giving out favours and receiving (hopefully) in return. Even if they fail to appreciate you, at least no one will bad mouth or go out their way to put you down. Make peace, not war. 

3. Study, study, study but APPLY! 

My clinical skills lecturer, Dr Uma Sothinathan, use to say "What your mind doesn't know, your eyes won't see, your ears won't hear and your hands won't feel". Life-changing quotes like these only occur once in a blue moon and they ferment like good wine. 

Even as an MO, my fear of missing things out fuels my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to double-check my plan for every patient. Despite my measures, to err is human, I do overlook (sometimes crucial) aspects in my plans and they often can be costly. Therefore, you have to study!

I typically dedicate myself 1 hour each day to read about anything. The best way to find a subject would be the mistakes you made at work on a daily basis. That way, you can ensure that what you learn is applicable to your job.

4. Time management

Learn to prioritise your job lists. Referrals come first before non-urgent bloods. Radiological requests should be arranged according to urgency. If you have 15 minutes, grab a quick meal. Nobody should teach you how to make use of your time because your priority is your own. 

5. Positive mindset

I am not always a cheerful person. I have my own demons I struggle with every day and things are never better with lack of sleep and food from the long hours at work. Find tools that work to uplift your spirit in life, to name a few - meditation, music, exercise, self-help books, counselling services. These tools were not designed to be fun but to change your outlook in life and help you find a purpose to keep going (when the going gets tough). That is why I enjoy and dwell heavily in inspiring quotes, movies, music and people. 

One method I found very effective is by giving yourself the first smile of the day. What better way to spread joy than to start off with you, yourself?