Reflections From A Practicing Podiatrist To The Newly Matched Student

“Match Day” was likely a day of excitement and nervous energy. It seems impossible that one day could become the culmination of twenty-one or more years of education. The excitement of matching is a feeling one is not likely to forget.

Although my personal match day was 17 years ago, that day and the years of residency that followed sometimes still feels like yesterday. As the majority of your past was spent learning and your future is surely full of so much more, I would like to share some thoughts. Think of this as my version of “what I wish someone had told me then.” Of course, everyone will have their own experiences, so I will keep this in general terms.

Words Of Wisdom For The Recently Matched Student

First, learn everything you can. This seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? You complete a residency to learn more and prepare for practice, so of course you are there to learn everything you can. But does your “everything” mean everything about podiatric medicine? Or does it truly mean everything? These years will teach you more than you can even imagine about podiatric medicine and surgery. Your time in residency means so much more, though. There will never again be a time in your life and career like this. You will experience absolutely every aspect of medicine, podiatry and life; all at once. It is an intense time where you will learn more than you ever thought possible about medicine. You will gain so much more knowledge and experience, though.

You will see your attendings practice and learn how to practice yourself. Your attendings may have different approaches to the same surgery or diagnosis. As he or she performs the procedure differently, you will have the opportunity to determine what works best in your hands. You will see your fellow residents achieve so much, but you may also see them stumble. Although we don’t want to see friends and colleagues struggle, this is also an opportunity to observe and learn how to overcome challenges. You will learn how to manage your time, even when it seems there is never enough. You will learn what it feels like to accomplish great things and push yourself harder than you ever thought possible. Through it all, you will discover what it takes to truly be a great podiatric physician.

Unfortunately, as you move through residency training, you may also encounter some less positive experiences and outcomes. Remember that these are also some of the best learning opportunities you will encouter. Although we learn so much from our attendings, we need to remember that they are not infallible. There will be suboptimal outcomes, complications or patients who do not do as well as expected. No doctor, no surgery, no outcome is perfect every single time. One of the most critical concepts to learn from these less-than-ideal situations is how to respond and react. Certainly, none of us wish to have mistakes or complications occur in practice, but learning the appropriate handling during residency can serve you well, and potentially create a more positive experience for you and your future patients.

Another perceived negative that you may observe during residency is patient conflict, which we are likely to experience despite our wish to avoid doing so. Sometimes, we give patients news that is difficult or that they do not want to hear. Some may come into the office already having a bad day. Whatever the reason, there is sometimes strain and tension surrounding the visit. Hopefully this does not happen often, but when it does, rely on what you saw during residency. You will see attendings deal with such conflict and, accordingly, you can determine what works best for you. To this day, I am grateful for observing and learning from the imperfect moments.

Closing Thoughts

As I stated earlier, you will never have a time like this again in your career. Your training will push you further than you imagined. You will push yourself even further, most likely. Through it all, you are going to learn and achieve an unbelievable amount of knowledge and skill. Take the time - make the time - to appreciate and enjoy all you can.

Dr. Hook is a Trustee of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, Chair of the NYSPMA Public Education and Information Committee, and a sub-Chair of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine Membership Committee in the Crisis Communication and Audit division. She is Secretary for the American Association for Women Podiatrists and is in private practice at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists in Syracuse, N.Y.