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Depression and Medical School

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What is Depression?

Depression is a mental illness that is predominantly associated with the following symptoms: low mood, lack of energy and loss of enjoyment in our usual activities. Student doctors and practicing doctors can say these core symptoms of low mood, anergy and anhedonia quicker than saying pseudopseduohypoparathyroidism. But identifying these symptoms within oneself is a much slower process.

Depression during medical school is not a new phenomenon, and despite our understanding of mental health is improving, many student doctors are struggling daily with depression. There are various factors during medical school that can contribute to ill mental health:

  • Lack of sleep due to a busy schedule.
  • High expectations – from your yourself, medical school, parents, family friends, etc.
  • Financial strain – the accumulation of student loans, balancing paid work and studies, etc.
  • Emotional strain – wanting to provide the best care you can to patients.
  • Personal responsibilities and commitments – being a parent, friendship commitments, relationship commitments, carer duties, etc.
  • The intensity of constant assessments, persistent appraisals, exam after exam, etc.
  • Unfortunately some environments have a stench of over-competitiveness, over-compensation, intimidation, etc.
  • A new environment, new city, new country, new friends, etc. – medical school may be the first big change you have experienced in life so far.

 

So how can we lighten the load?

Discussing mental health is often thought of as taboo, both in the medical profession and public; therefore to speak of it, requires courage and encouragement (having both simultaneously is not easy).

So how can we lighten the load? How can we start healthy habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle?

At Medics’ Inn we do not claim to be psychiatrists, but we are experts in seeking help! That is what we urge you all to do.

If you are struggling with your work load…seek help.

If you are experiencing financial strain…seek help.

If you are second guessing a career in medicine…seek help.

If you are having difficulty balancing your responsibilities…seek help.

If you feel sad and lonely…seek help.

Seek help from those around you, your supervisor, your tutor, your personal GP/doctor, etc.

Sometimes, because we do not want to ‘bother’ anyone with our issues, we dig ourselves into a hole. But the earlier you seek help, the easier it will be to come out of that hole.

 

Photo Credit: PhotoPin

 

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Medical School Can Be Tuff

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Medicine is similar to other professions is many ways, but it is also different from other professions in many more ways. The hustle of medical school is like no other undergraduate course. As well as studying for a degree, you have begun your training for the career. Your career starts now.

You have now adopted a culture where juggling numerous extracurricular activities is the norm; you turn down more social events than you’d like; your term/semester begins with, is interrupted by or end with 1-3 assessments or exams! The list goes on. Only other medical students/student doctors understand this way of life. Although your family and friends are very proud of you, there is an air of disappointment. Even though you try to explain the structure of your course, the emotional demands, the time constraints, your goals and aspiration, “they just don’t get it”.

But remember you are not alone on this journey, there are hundreds of students just like you in the country, and there are thousands of students around the world in your position (some worse off). Stay true to your convictions and try to maintain a healthy balance of things. Know your priorities. Remember, medical school is but for a season; how you handle medical school is an indicator of how you will handle life as a doctor.

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Medical School:Have A Kit Kat…Take A Break!

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Medical School:Have A Kit Kat…Take A Break!

In medical school, you adopt the ‘work hard’ culture, but it is equally important to remember the culture of relaxation. Sometimes, the moment you sit still, you feel a sense of guilt for not doing ‘something’. The truth is, in Medical School, there will always be ‘something’ for you to do. There is always work to do; this could be revision for an up-coming exam, research for a written assignment, follow-up work in the lab, staying after working-hours to practise a particular clinical skill, spending some time in theatre, preparing for your next tutorial/lecture/lab project – these demands do not include the extra-curricular activities you have picked up along the way or paid work. Sports, dance classes, creative workshops or conferences that require the submission of a paper/abstract/poster, etc. The list is endless. The list will continue to be endless. So it is import to relax and truly switch off. Put to one side the daily, weekly and monthly demands of medicine for a moment and just relax.

Have a break. Enjoy the break.

 

Photo Credit: Photo Pin

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Medical Student Vs Student Doctor

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Which do you prefer: Medical Student Vs Student Doctor?

How do you introduce yourself to patients and other doctors?

Does it really make a difference? Aren’t they the same thing?

We like – Student Doctor. It easily communicates to patients what profession you are training for. And it also gives you a subtle reminder:

Yes, I am training towards being a doctor, diagnosis diseases, treating diseases, prescribing drugs and caring for my patients.

Yes, I have already obtained medical knowledge and skills that will be of help the care of patients.

Yes, I am a work in progress, I do not know it all and I do not need to know it all at this stage, even if it were possible.

 

So, Medics’ Inn likes the term ‘Student Doctor’.

What do you think?

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Hard Work

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Hard Work

A subtle change in a phrase will change your outcome.

 

For one to succeed, one must work hard – this is a misunderstanding.

The word hard suggests the anticipated task is difficult, tough or problematic. Although, we may just be playing around with a thesaurus, let’s use the word challenge instead. The word challenge suggests the anticipated task is a trial, test or experiment that hopes to yield success, growth, development and change. Sometimes, a subtle change in a phrase will change your mindset. A subtle change in your mindset will change your actions. A subtle change in your actions will change your outcome.

Try using the word diligent instead, diligent means, showing careful and persistent work or effort.

Diligent Work.

 

A subtle change in a phrase will change your outcome.

 

Share your thoughts with us.

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Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 2

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Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 2

To be told you have to repeat the year to remain in medical school is a scary thing, but having the option to repeat the year is an opportunity that is not provided to all medical students. Medics’ Inn have provided a few pearls of wisdom for our readers, we have gathered some advice from several medical students who repeated a year of medical school. Have a read of Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 1.

 

 

*Sigh*

Let yourself feel rubbish for a while, your feelings are valid. Repeating the year is a big deal and it is not easy. Let yourself go through the journey. Failure is part of the human experience.

 

 “My family are not supportive…”

It’s difficult to not take it to heart, it’s not right but it’s not your fault. They will come round eventually, but mean while find your support from elsewhere. Don’t bottle it up, there are other people who are genuinely concerned and there are lots of places to get support from.

 

“Is medicine still right for me?”

Talk to people about your concerns but make sure you frame your own thoughts first, the pros and cons. Intercalating or taking a year out may be beneficial. Give yourself as many options as you can. Have a think about these questions:

  1. What were the reasons you initially chose to do medicine?
  2. Could you see yourself working as a doctor several years (or decades) from now?
  3. What is stopping you from pressing on? Fear?

 

“I don’t want to be judged by colleagues, lectures, friends, family…”

If you’re being judged, that’s their problem, not yours. You cannot control what other people think about you, but you can control how you respond. Don’t hide away and don’t be scared of making friends in your new year.

 

“It will just be the same thing, and another year wasted …”

Use your old notes to help you. Try new things, join a new club, etc. It may be scary, but new experiences will tell you who you are as a person and not who you should be. With the right attitude, you will have a new found sense of freedom and there will be open doors of opportunity if you’re looking. You will develop resilience and courage. This experience can stop you from fearing failure.

 

At the end of your repeated year, ask yourself these questions and really thinking about your answers and what they mean to you. (It might help to write your answers down on a piece of paper)

  1. How did you feel when you first received this information?
  2. What was your greatest motivation?
  3. How have you used your repeated year to better yourself?
  4. What did you learn about yourself that you did not know?
  5. What were your greatest fears and how did you overcome these fears (if you have)?

 

 

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Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 1

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Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 1

To be told you have to repeat the year to remain in medical school is a scary thing, but having the option to repeat the year is an opportunity that is not provided to all medical students. Medics’ Inn have provided a few pearls of wisdom for our readers, we have gathered some advice from several medical students who repeated a year of medical school. Look out for Repeating The Year – Some Words of Wisdom Part 2.

  • Feelings of the following are normal: embarrassment, failure, shock, fear, loneliness, insecurity, pain, inadequacy, etc…
  • Stop trying to rationalise why this has happened.
  • Accept help, correction, advise from others, other students, teaching fellows, there is no shame in that, nor in repeating itself.
  • Don’t become obsessed with the numbers, e.g. things like “rankings” – ranking is surmountable, and you will still get a job, top or bottom decile.
  • Don’t be complacent, e.g. complacent with only making one change, or no changes, or just doing what you deem will get you just the 50% or will match the bare-pass you achieved last time!
  • Mentally prepare yourself and even practise how you may or may not wish to explain your position, about why you are in this year group, and who you may or may not care to tell, because the most tactless to those with the best intentions may ask at the least convenient times. Not everyone needs to know your business, and similarly you don’t need to be ashamed. Remember that in a year or so, people will no longer care/ know about your detour
  • Don’t compare yourself to others ever, whether they have or have not intercalated, know all the answers in teaching, get 100% in every e-biolab or quiz, are years younger than you, are first authors in the Lancet – don’t compare
  • If you are ever, for any reason experiencing difficulties (health-related, personal and emotional) beyond the work of revision, during the year – do not miss the opportunity to submit extenuating circumstances before God-forbid, you may find yourself repeating anything!
  • Don’t burn-out by setting unrealistic expectations of yourself. Seek help from friends, Faculty, GP, student advice service, if necessary!

Now, answer these questions and really thinking about your answers and what they mean to you. (It might help to write your answers down on a piece of paper)

  1. What is your greatest motivation in life?
  2. In the past, what were your greatest fears and how did you overcome them?
  3. What do you want to achieve in this year you will repeat?

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Reputation and Ranking

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Reputation and Ranking
Reputation and Ranking

Are educational performance measure (EPM) scores validation for all medical student needs? Should we just aim to rank in the top 10-25% of the year? Are the results of clinical and written exams predictor of your effectiveness as a future doctor?

It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race of medical school. It’s easy to be consumed by the surmounting pressure to exceed a standard.  But the question to ask yourself is: How do you want to be remembered by your patients and colleagues?

Pick 2-3 words that sum up how you would like patients and colleagues to remember you e.g. safe and caring or efficient and honest.

Good educational performance is essential to pass medical school, but a good reputation is essential for life.