The Medical Surgical Residency Survival Guide

There are over 250 surgical residencies in the United States. Most residents experience some degree of shock once they start on the very first day, and the demands of residency are high. The current overall dropout rate is 16%, and there is evidence for higher burnout rates, suicide rates, addiction rates and divorce rates among all surgeons compared to other careers. There is therefore a critical need for the education of resiliency during surgical residency and guidance on surviving this challenging portion of their career. Unfortunately, the experiences of trial and error are the basis for survival, and resiliency training is often overlooked as part of the traditional surgical training. This practical guide is founded on many conversations with struggling general surgery residents and will have wide appeal, utilizing these experiences via interviews with current residents at different residency programs and covering an even wider variety of topics, with variable experiences based on differing ages, races, sexes, and marital statuses. Each chapter begins with a topic and a brief introduction, expansion on the topic based on their unique experiences, and then a concluding list of pearls to remember and use in daily residency. The topics are broken down thematically into five main sections, covering the breadth of residency experience and work/life balance: academics, clinical duties, life outside of work, leadership and ethics, and basic survival skills and self-care. Written by current residents for current residents, General Surgery Residency Survival Guide will be a valuable resource for everyone navigating this challenging portion of their medical career.

Are you a medical student about to graduate from medical school, an intern or junior resident muscling through the early years of your formative residency training? If so, this book was written for you. The transition from medical school to residency training is a challenging and transformative experience; life as a resident physician is drastically different to what most experience during their clinical rotations in medical school. You will undoubtedly approach the transition with a combination of emotions including enthusiasm and eagerness but also trepidation and apprehension. This survival guide will serve to temper these emotions and transform them into a sense of confidence as you progress. The book’s focused, honest, and straightforward approach addresses the unique challenges encountered in residency training and discusses a number of strategies to facilitate tactful navigation of these challenging waters. This easily digestible volume concisely outlines a combination of principles that will help you become a highly motivated, adaptable, and successful trainee. The book spurs self-reflection that can be applied to develop the strength, perseverance, and endurance to succeed when the going gets tough. Each chapter contains valuable insight that trainees can draw from regardless of specialty. By utilizing and employing the tools discussed, opportunities presented throughout the course of your residency training and beyond can be translated into successes that you will continually be able to build upon, hone, and polish throughout your career as a respected and well-rounded physician and professional.

This survival guide provides all the information that is essential for a surgical internship, including daily routine, rounds, chart reviews, preoperative and postoperative care, operating room conduct, radiology, critical care, and interaction with families, colleagues, and allied health professionals. Comprehensive sections on common problems in general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, urology, and plastic surgery present evaluation, diagnostic testing, and treatment in an easy-to-follow format. Other chapters cover crashing patients, tubes and drains, bleeding, codes, and nutrition.

Prepare, prepare, prepare! Surgical Interviews: The Survival Guide is a highly detailed handbook of what to expect during surgical interviews, including applications and CV preparation, clinical scenarios, portfolios, communication, possible questions, suggested solutions, potential pitfalls and a multitude of invaluable tips to enhance the overall

This survival guide was designed by residents to serve as a guide for incoming interns/residents in to surgical residency. The information that is provided within this text is based off of personal experiences and thought to be the most pertinent information needed to survive. The learning curve for surgical education is so steep that any additional information you can have at your disposal is key. Save time by referring to this manual while you are on the wards or studying on days off.This Guide is intended only as a suggestion to frequent medical practices based on the experience of past residents. It is not intended to be the determining factor in patient care. Always treat each patient on an individual basis according to their needs. If you are unsure of the proper course of action for patient care, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for help.