Expert provides tips on making the leap from trainee to attending ophthalmologist
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The transition from trainee to attending physician is a major reality check that involves a new level of stress. It is better to prepare for it in advance and get into the mindset of a solo practitioner while still in training.
“Ask for autonomy when the time is right. Not necessarily for a whole case, but for certain steps of the case, and always prepare to run the OR as if you were the attending. From the moment you enter the room, you want to know the instruments, the staff, everything as if you were in charge,” Lorraine Provencher, MD, said at Real World Ophthalmology. “Visualization is a very powerful tool. Visualize yourself as being solo and making all the tough decisions.”
When taking the first steps as a solo surgeon, preparedness boosts confidence. This entails knowing the OR, post-anesthesia care unit, technology and instruments that will be used; reviewing all cases ahead of time; and anticipating any complications and complexities that may occur. Having a lifeline at hand, such as a mentor who is available on the phone or a colleague in the room next door, can help overcome difficult situations.
“Give yourself some grace. Allow for extra time in the OR. You may not be as fast as a fellow or senior resident, so slow down a little bit,” Provencher said.
She recommended avoiding unfair comparisons with experienced doctors or with supposedly “better” peers. Those who deny having anxieties about being an attending are probably not being honest, she said.
On the other hand, it is important not to overestimate one’s own capacity and overdo things.
“Cool your jets. It is normal to be excited to try and do anything, but do this at a pace that is appropriate,” Provencher said.
“Focus on the patient in front of you, and trust your training. Anxiety is normal. Don’t let it control you, but use it to become a better surgeon,” she said.
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Provencher L. Top 5 tips for operating solo. Presented at: Real World Ophthalmology; April 2, 2022 (virtual meeting).
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