Surgery
General Surgery Residency Survival Guide 2023
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.
Table of contents :
Preface
Contents
Part I: Academics
Chapter 1: Mentorship: How to Spot a Good Mentor and Hold on Tight
Introduction
Seeking a Mentor
Developing a Strong Working Relationship
Maintaining a Strong Working Relationship
Dealing with Challenges in the Relationship
Reference
Chapter 2: ABSITE and the Boards: A Marathon Mindset
Introduction
Reading Plan
ABSITE/Qualifying Exam
Certifying Exam
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Talent Versus Hard Work
Talent and Hard Work
Personal Accountability
Attitude and Modesty
Chapter 4: Acquiring Wisdom and Judgment: Good Judgment Comes from Bad Experience; Bad Experience Comes from Poor Judgment
Chapter 5: Developing Surgical Skills
Introduction
Preoperative Preparation
Intraoperative
Postoperative
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6: Effective Methods and Tools for Studying
Introduction
Variety of Resources
Methods of Studying
Chapter 7: Research
Types of Research
Roles of a Research Team
Manuscript Writing
Publishing
References
Chapter 8: Curriculum Vitae Preparation
Introduction
Conclusion
References
Chapter 9: Tools for Purchase to Succeed in Residency
Introduction
ABSITE Quest
Anki
Behind The Knife
Clinical Scenarios in Surgery
Loupes
Question Banks
Part II: Clinical Duties
Chapter 10: Office Hours
Chapter 11: Triaging Clinical Duties and Being Organized
Introduction
Anticipation
Least to Most Stable
Bundle Tasks
Communicate
Chapter 12: Surviving Call
Chapter 13: Keeping Up with the Paperwork
Introduction
Duty Hours
Case Logs
Evaluations
Personal Journaling
Chapter 14: Teaching Other Residents and Students
Teaching Other Residents and Students
Chapter 15: Interactions with Nurses, OR, and Office Staff
Introduction
Nurses
OR Staff
Office Staff
Chapter 16: Interactions with Residents and Attendings
Introduction
Residents
Chapter 17: Curbside Consultation
References
Part III: Life Outside of Work/Finances
Chapter 18: Finding Love in Residency
Chapter 19: Relationships: How to Keep Your Significant Other Happy
Puja’s Story
Heather’s Story
Chapter 20: How to Maintain Personal Relationships
Plan
Be Open-Minded
Forgive People
Say Thank You
Do Good
References
Chapter 21: Motherhood and Residency
Chapter 22: Parenthood in Residency
Introduction
Parenthood in Residency: Part 1
Parenthood in Residency: Part 2
Chapter 23: Parental Leave
Parental Leave
Planning for Parental Leave
Maintaining Your Income
Preparing to Pump
Personal Insights
References
Chapter 24: How to Be There (or Not) for Holidays and Occasions
Set Expectations
Plan Ahead and Communicate Often
Alternative Ways to Celebrate
Celebrate with Your Patients
Chapter 25: Finding the Right Home
Things to Consider
Mortgages
Mortgage Pre-approval
References
Chapter 26: How to Tackle Loan Repayment During Residency
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Refinancing Student Loans
Life After Residency
References
Chapter 27: What We Need in the Workplace
Chapter 28: Death of a Loved One
Chapter 29: When Your Program Closes
Introduction
Allocation of Funding for Residency
What to Do in the Immediate Aftermath of Closure
What to Do If You Do Not Find a Spot
The Impact of Residency Closure on Fellowship and Job Prospects
References
Part IV: Leadership/Ethics
Chapter 30: Leadership
Introduction
References
Chapter 31: Fundamentals of Professionalism
Introduction
References
Chapter 32: Art of Delegation
Introduction
The Junior Resident
The Senior Resident
Concept of Fluid Dichotomy
Getting a Heavy Load Uphill
Chapter 33: “Sticks and Stones … But Words Do Hurt”
References
Chapter 34: Facing Complications
Introduction
Chapter 35: Dealing with the Difficult Patient
References
Chapter 36: The Difficult Attending
Managing Interactions with the Difficult Attending
References
Chapter 37: How to Be Empathetic
Introduction
References
Chapter 38: “Just Another Day in Paradise”: The Emotional Trash Compactor of Residency
Part V: Basic Survival Skills
Chapter 39: The Benefits of Sleep
Introduction
The Science of Sleep
References
Chapter 40: Nutrition and Exercise: Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle in Surgery Residency
Introduction
Chapter 41: Self-Care: When and How
Introduction
Chapter 42: Stress Management and Dealing with Burnout
Identifying Stress and Burnout
Methods of Management
References
Chapter 43: What to Do on Vacation
Introduction
Chapter 44: Making Time for Hobbies
Introduction
Chapter 45: Illness and Injury During Residency
Chapter 46: Dealing with a Pandemic
COVID-19 and Pandemonium
Survival Skills for Pandemonium While in Residency
References
Chapter 47: How to Navigate a Brand-New Residency Program
Introduction
What Does This Mean for You?
Chapter 48: Imposter Syndrome During Surgical Training
Introduction
Tips for Managing Imposter Syndrome
References
Chapter 49: Conclusion
