Footnotes - Spring 2023 - 26

code, your first patient complaint that you efficiently help
solve- to name a few. Residency is a marathon, but there
are many little moments of victory before you cross the
finish line. Every win deserves proper acknowledgment,
reflection and celebration. Residency can be overwhelmingcelebrating
your successes will help fuel your spirit and keep
you resilient.
7. Find a Mentor
With the rollercoaster that is residency, finding a mentor
to give you support and stability during your journey can
make all the difference between slogging through and
summitting with confidence. Finding someone you trust
and can be yourself with, will give you the freedom to seek
guidance with anything that comes your way. A mentor
can be a senior resident, fellow or an attending that you
best connect with. All successful, professional athletes have
coaches, physicians are no different. To be successful, you
need someone that will help coach you along the way.
8. Engage in Hobbies Outside of Medicine- Make Time
for Yourself
I can't emphasize this one enough! It is SO easy to fall into
the endless trap of mundane routine that often leads to
fatigue and burnout. As much of a commitment residency
is, your career is NOT your entire life. Our lives are multifaceted
and our career occupies a single facet of our being.
We are more than just physicians and our lives should
reflect that. Engaging in hobbies outside of medicine have
shown to reduce risks of physician burnout and improve
work engagement. Even if you dedicate time towards a
hobby once a week, it will give you a break from medicine.
Give yourself at least 20-30 minutes to do anything you
want to do- workout, watch an episode of your new
favorite show, read a book- anything that brings you joy!
Being disciplined with your schedule and setting healthy
boundaries helps make time for yourself.
26
9. Seek Help If You Need It
Mental health is health. If you or a co-resident is struggling
mentally, there are many available resources that can
provide support. Physician burnout is unfortunately
common and it demands urgent action. Recognizing early
signs of burnout and seeking help can significantly make
a difference. The AMA conducted a recent study which
identified three resident-specific reasons for burnout: 1) lack
of sleep, 2) not feeling valued at the residency program/
not getting proper recognition and 3) chaotic work
environments that lead to constant interruptions. Taking
care of yourself physically and mentally is key to reducing
risk of burnout. Like the directive you may get every time
you board an airplane (secure your mask before helping
others) the same is true for you as a healthcare provider, you
can't be expected to effectively take care of others if you are
struggling yourself. Get the help you need when you need it.
10. Prepare for the Future- Board Certification
It is never too early to think about the future. Preparation
will only help your chances of success. Networking and
working hard can certainly help you land your dream
fellowship or first job out of residency. When it comes to
marketing yourself, being board certified vs. being board
qualified make a substantial difference. Marketing yourself
as a board-certified physician opens more doors in the
private practice and hospital setting. Passing the American
Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) certification
examination gives ABPM diplomates the opportunity to
advertise themselves as board certified physicians within
their first year of completing residency. That can greatly set
you apart from other candidates in the job hunt!
I am thankful for the opportunity to share my insight with
you all. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me! IG: @katerinadpm
SPRING 2023
Footnotes - Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Footnotes - Spring 2023
