Life as an F1.... :)

[Tomethy]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to go into medicine next year (taking a year out first) however was very curious to know what life as an F1 doctor was like?

After watching numerous shows it seems that you get in alot of trouble, shouted out, humiliated and have a lot of pressure put on you?

Is this a true interpritation as life as an F1? As much as it didnt put me off these aspects did kind of worry me if they are true?

Also do you choose which hospital you would like to go to? (I was hoping to study in Cardiff and stay in Cardiff afterwards)

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Tomethy

[motivationG]

lol i take it you watched holby city? I doubt you'll actually get shouted like that in reality.

[Tomethy]

Was it that obvious! :P

Yeah it is a great show but really made me nervous thinking I might have to put up with that! (Not that I have a problem with authority)

Cheers for the reply

x

[Emzeebubs]

This is what I have learnt from my f1 shadowing...

The job is different in terms of stressors depending on how much senior support is available, which varies between posts. Currently my firm are v understaffed so my f1 is fairly stressed-there's always tons to do and the job list doesn't get shorter! It can be a demanding and challenging job, but you probably wouldnt expect any less. Having said that, despite there being limited senior cover, the cover that is there is verysupportive. You really do not have to struggle on your own as an f1.

In terms of getting a rollicking....sometimes they get 'told off' but not like on holby! It's usually in a professional way so you can learn fro
it. Other consultants may be different so I can't comment generally, but as an f1, altho down at the bottom of the medical pecking order, you are still part of the team and thankfully so far on my firm that is the only attitude I have seen

I wouldn't worry about what tv programmes show, likelihood is that reality wouldn't make v good tv

[sparky21]

Holby city is laughable. As an F1 you pretty much run the ward (i've never had seniors that spend a lot of time on the ward - and never had an SHO) and are sorting out the patients yourself (after being guided by your seniors). You don't get time to faff around having cannulation contests or spending 30mins putting an NG tube in! You pretty much have to fight to get time off to get to theatre and I was pretty much on the floor when the nurse told the F1 to "take her break"... I don't stop from 7.30 - 5.30!

Oh and regular nurses don't clerk patients, and F1's don't get told to do a ward full of obs...

My fellow F1's are an amazingly competent bunch making all sorts of decisions and diagnoses and their representation in Holby city is terrible!

[Emzeebubs]

Wow, sounds like holby really was quite something! My housemate watches it, I had to leave after 5 mins as I was finding it too cringeworthy/annoying so didn't have the 'pleasure' of seeing all that lot!!

[Tomethy]

Thanks for the responses everyone! It really has instilled alot of confidence in me, so I am very much obiged!

I guess reality wouldn't make great TV haha but its always nice to dream. I find it weird how after every shift they all go out and drink in that pub right next to the hospital all the time, no wonder doctors have a high alcoholic rate! :P

By the by, with all the procedures and diagnoses that are possible how do you know what route to take when dealing with a patient? I assume you are taught most procedures in medical school?

Cheers again guys, its all rather helpfu!

Tomethy.
x

[birmingham man]

How much real responsibility does an FY1 carry on his/her shoulders?

e.g. how much unsupervised work does an FY1 do?

Some people give me the impression that FY1 is all mindless paperwork. Others give me the impression that FY1s really do significantly impact the management of patients.

[sparky21]

The level of responsibility varies greatly. It depends on the situation - day to day my work is mainly organisational and making sure things are being done and organised for patients. On call it can be pretty full on - as you're the first to see or be called to see a patient who is acutely unwell.

I've been on the wards with people who have gone into respiratory arrest infront of me and have had to initiate everything, i've also been involved in taking numerous acute bleeds back to theatre and I've been called to see a patient who had a tension pneumothorax and has desaturated to 46%. The responsibility therefore is HUGE.

Most procedures are not taught in medical school (basic skills are)- everything in medical school is pretty much theoretical and you learn by guidance whilst on the wards and pretty much have to pick it up for yourself.

As for day to day jobs - my first job this year meant that I was the only junior doctor on a breast firm with a very part-time Reg. It meant that I did most things by myself and was in theatre for every session and ran clinic alongside my boss - dictating my own letters. My second medical job I did 2 acute weeks in every 6 and pretty much investigated and treated my own patients (with guidance when needed) - and when I was on my ward it was me and an SHO covering 40 patients. Now i'm pretty much doing paperwork and only learning things when I'm on call 1 day a week.

[AndreaD81]

I was just wondering whether Doctors have got the time to go to out to pubs and have fun like most of other people?