6 pro tips for success during the early days of radiology residency
Transitioning from medical school into the first year of residency can be daunting for some, but there are a few pro tips one can follow to survive and thrive.
That’s according to a new opinion piece from two members of the specialty, published Saturday in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. A lack of exposure to rad life and its daily workflow can be two of the biggest reasons why early career physicians struggle during this stage in their careers.
Kirang and Amy Patel, both MDs with the University of Missouri at Kansas City, hope their advice helps others navigate this challenge.
“Starting as a new radiology resident is quite the transition from traditional medical training and can be daunting and overwhelming,” the two unrelated Patels wrote Oct. 9. “However, we have outlined six tips that we hope will provide the guidance needed for new R1s to be successful not only for the rest of residency but also their future careers.”
Here’s a quick run-down of their advice. You can read the full Early Career Column here.
1. Start studying: Read as many radiology textbooks and articles as possible and gather practical knowledge by taking on complex studies and participating in case-based conferences.
2. Improve efficiency: New residents should seek to form a daily routine for their work and stick with it, including creating a regular search pattern and proofreading reports to prevent errors.
3. Understand burnout: The specialty can be prone to burnout, due to isolation and excessive workloads, among other factors, but being mindful and taking measures to improve wellness is “highly encouraged.”
4. Plan finances: Most medical students graduate with debt (also a contributor to burnout), and it’s wise to begin learning about financial literacy on day 1 of residency.
5. Make connections: Early career rads should strive to network with peers and plant seeds that can eventually grow into future fellowships or job opportunities.
6. Think ahead: Start thinking about a future after residency, including which subspecialty you find most challenging or intriguing.
“The beauty of radiology is how vast the options are, so thinking about what practice types or procedures are of most interest can help guide the types of projects and connections a resident may potentially make,” the authors advised.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.