3 Things They Don’t Teach You as a Resident Physician
3 Things They Don’t Teach You as a Resident Physician
No matter your MCAT scores, your medical school grades, or how much you learned during training, some elements of life as a practicing anesthesiologist may surprise you. You might be wondering what you can expect from your first year in the “real world” of medicine after residency or fellowship.
To answer that question, we sat down with one of our clinicians, Matthias Grube, MD, a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Grube finished his fellowship in 2017—so post-training insights are still fresh in his mind.
What words of wisdom does he have to share?
1. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable
Building confidence in your abilities and your judgment is a natural part of any career progression. It is not uncommon to grapple with self-doubt in the beginning.
“When you exit that sheltered environment of training, you realize there are a lot of things that training prepares you for, but there are things training cannot prepare you for—from a mindset perspective,” Dr. Grube says. “It’s important to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, especially at the beginning of your career.” With experience, you will gain confidence in your clinical judgment, and you will adapt. This feeling will keep you alert and help you provide the best possible care.
Realizing unease is a normal part of the process can help you adjust to your new responsibilities as a practicing anesthesiologist. In the end, trust your training.
2. Medicine is influenced by many factors, so be flexible
Go into your first anesthesiology role with an open mind, ready to get to know and acclimate to your workplace, your colleagues, and the new demands of your position. Dr. Grube cautions that these pressures will feel different than the stress of school or hands-on training.
“You are living in a little bit of a bubble during residency,” he says. “Be aware there are many things that influence your practice—things like time pressure, productivity expectations, and financial constraints.” Even equipment, technology, and processes may be somewhat different at a new location.
Enhanced case load is also important to remember. He explains that during residency, you probably cared for one patient at a time. Once assuming your new position at a hospital or ASC, you may be attending to three or four patients simultaneously. This may feel stressful or seem overwhelming.
Focus on each patient, on proper protocols, and on safety, he says. “It’s important to also remain amenable to new ideas and strategies so you can continue to grow as a clinician,” Dr. Grube advises.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Believing in yourself and seeking guidance are not mutually exclusive. Dr. Grube suggests newer anesthesiologists build relationships with senior colleagues. While there are benefits to being “the most freshly trained,” Dr. Grube encourages new anesthesiologists to stay humble and embrace the insights and wisdom of colleagues.
From his early days at Piedmont Hospital, Dr. Grube felt comfortable asking his colleagues questions about workflow, as well as surgical and even anesthesia department preferences in handling certain types of cases. “This gives you the opportunity to get to know your new environment and build a rapport with your colleagues,” he says. “You get the chance to introduce yourself to your surgical partners, and by discussing their cases and preferences, you can adapt and convey a sense of security to your surgical colleagues.”
It also helps surgeons gain confidence in your abilities and appreciate the level of care they—and their patients—can expect from you as a professional. “I’m grateful my Piedmont team has always been supportive of such growth and partnership,” Dr. Grube adds.
Asking for help or advice should never be seen as weakness, by yourself or your colleagues. “I would argue it leads to better relationships with your colleagues,” he says. “It helps build trust in your clinical judgment and abilities, which can be important when you are the new kid on the block.”
Dr. Grube advocates for combining clinical practice with knowledge. “It will make you a better clinician, a better professional, and ultimately, a better caregiver,” he says. “I think that should be everyone’s goal. It is certainly mine.”
While there is no substitute for experience, knowing what to expect as you embark on your anesthesiology career will help you prepare, develop, and succeed. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. Medicine depends on a team environment, all working together for the best interests of the patients under their care.
Matthias Grube, MD, is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist with North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA), providing care at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He has been at this site since completing his fellowship at Emory University in 2017. He completed his medical degree at the Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Medical School in Bonn, Germany, and his anesthesiology residency at the University at Buffalo in New York.
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