Blog Post Focus
This blog post explores the fluctuating reality of rest as a resident. Rest is not always readily available to residents. Sometimes a short break from the demands of the day is all that can be expected, but at other times perhaps more substantive rest can be attained.
Personal Experiences with Rest in Residency
Resting as a resident came in waves. Sometimes I was on a stretch of days that seemed to be filled with nonstop activities. Other weeks I found time to rest rather readily. It was sometimes found only in sleep at night. Sometimes just a brief respite before being alerted to a new task in a series of endless tasks. Other times, I could finish all tasks and had space before new tasks developed in the day. Every day was a changing landscape with different opportunities for recovery and challenges.
Certain rotations were much busier than others. Some rotations were so active and busy I felt I couldn’t possibly get enough rest. The days would end late and I would be keyed up and it would be hard to sleep despite being so tired. Other rotations were much more conducive to recovery. In certain rotations I worked more reasonable hours and when work was completed I went to do what I wanted to do so when night came I was relaxed and ready to sleep.
General Thoughts on Rest in Residency
Multidimensional Demands
Working a full shift as a resident can be very tiring. It can include physical and emotional demands and may require constant communication and mental strain.
Each patient is a separate puzzle being put together. Every complex patient is an enigma that can be difficult to convey to other providers. Atop the mental strain, the social aspects of patients can be emotionally demanding, particularly when family is involved or the patient is very sick. Also, going floor to floor, performing procedures, standing and sitting endlessly for rounds and charting can be physically straining.
Rest is Necessary
Because the work of a physician is tiring in many facets of life, rest is necessary. It can include sleep, some time to practice mindfulness (being free of distractions and focusing on something regenerative), or a break from some or all the demands of the day. Different residents try to utilize different resting methods more frequently than others.
Rotation Demand Mismatch
Sometimes some residents are on very busy rotations and other residents are on lighter rotation. Sometimes the situation is reversed. It can be frustrating for the resident on the busiest service to see or hear the schedule of the resident on the lightest service.
Depending on the program there may or may not be a spirit of collaboration where residents help out each other as needed. Some programs have the opposite atmosphere where residents avoid helping each other. Sometimes, even if a resident helps out a busier service the favor is not returned. So, look out for yourself.
Final Thoughts on Rest as a Resident
Rest is necessary to function at our best. When the physical, mental, and emotional burdens of patient care pile up it can be difficult to be at our best. We all want to provide our patients the best care we can provide.
Rest comes in many forms. It can be prolonged like a nap or sleep. It can be brief like a break from the demands of the day. Depending on your rotation you may not have much time to rest, but there will be lighter services where you can spend time making up what you missed.
Programs differ, where some will have a spirit of collaboration so that residents of lighter services may help residents on heavier services. Some will not. Rest when you feel you need it, and if you can help your fellow residents that is optimal. Generally, one may never feel fully rested as a resident.
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