First Year Fellows Endoscopy Course (July 29 - 30) | 2022-12_How to Succeed in Fellowship Without Really Trying

12_How to Succeed in Fellowship Without Really Trying
Pdf Summary
The document provides tips and strategies for succeeding in a fellowship. It emphasizes the critical components of fellowship, including developing a solid fund of knowledge, learning how to be a good consultant, playing well with others, conducting research and giving academic presentations, receiving mentorship and career guidance, and maximizing endoscopic experience.<br /><br />To expand one's fund of knowledge, the document suggests "snack reading" instead of attempting to read journals cover to cover. It also recommends utilizing resources such as Uptodate, pubmed, ASGE videos, and DDSEP.<br /><br />The document advises fellows to view their patients as their best teachers and to take every opportunity to independently review primary data, such as pathology slides and radiology images. It also recommends following the clinical course of interested consult patients and contacting clinic patients to discuss test results and next steps.<br /><br />Being a good consultant involves asking specific questions and considering additional ways the GI team can help the patient and the primary team. The document emphasizes the importance of teaching the housestaff about their patients as it saves time in the future and contributes to being a good consultant.<br /><br />Professionalism is highlighted through suggestions such as being punctual, having clear and respectful communication with the primary team, and effectively communicating with patients, family members, and other healthcare staff.<br /><br />Additionally, getting along with colleagues is encouraged by providing thorough sign-out information, not passing off work that should be done individually, and being willing to ask for help.<br /><br />Regarding research and academic presentations, the document advises identifying more than one research mentor and project. It suggests choosing projects that can be completed during fellowship and providing presentations for review by a faculty mentor before presenting.<br /><br />The importance of understanding the difference between a mentor and a coach is discussed. It is recommended to seek mentorship beyond the home institution and to clarify expectations, learning objectives, and feedback mechanisms.<br /><br />In terms of endoscopic experience, the document suggests scoping as much as possible with different individuals and not getting discouraged in the beginning. Consent for procedures is stressed, and fellows are advised to take care in the consent process by spending time with patients, using visual aids, and discussing alternatives.<br /><br />Running the endoscopy unit is considered a responsibility, and clear and respectful communication with sedation nurses and technicians is emphasized. After a procedure, fellows are encouraged to explain findings to patients and their families.<br /><br />Finally, complications are noted as inevitable, and fellows are advised to work with their attending physician to disclose complications to patients effectively and to closely monitor and follow up with patients until complications are resolved.
Keywords
fellowship
fund of knowledge
good consultant
research
mentorship
endoscopic experience
professionalism
colleagues
consent for procedures
complications