Resident Readiness General Surgery Read Online Free Page A

unpredictable event (conception) within the rigid time constraints of residency. Many residencies offer the opportunity to spend 1 or 2 years dedicated to research, and many surgical residents choose to start their families then. The more flexible and manageable hours of this time are better suited to having a child, especially if the mother is the resident. However, this may not be an option for everyone. If not, consider waiting until after intern year, traditionally a call-heavy period. You should also consider avoiding your fifth year, a very heavy operative year that is fundamental to your surgical education. The fifth year is also the time where you may need to travel for fellowship interviews. If this is not possible, try to avoid being off during call-heavy months. Also, the sooner you tell your program director, the better he or she will be able to plan, which will reduce stress on your colleagues and your bosses, which can only be to your advantage.
2. Build good will. If you know you plan to have a child, especially during clinical time, be aware that you may inadvertently be burdening other residents with extra call responsibility. This may not be appreciated, especially by residents without children or partners, or by those who chose to delay childbearing because of their professional demands. Therefore, waiting until later in your residency, once you have established a relationship of being hard-working, reliable, and a team player, can allow you to “cash in” when you need time off. Make sure you have always been the one to take up someone’s offer to switch calls or cover for other residents.
3. Have a good support system (aka emergency backup). There will be many times when you literally will just not be able to be there for your child, whether you are in the trauma bay actively resuscitating a patient, or have to stay late to finish a difficult colon resection. You need to have a child care partner who will understand the vagaries of our profession and who will be able to be there when you cannot. This point is perhaps the most important to stress; although we are accustomed to delayed gratification, some spouses may not want or be able to be. Make sure that you have very open conversations with your partner prior to delivery so that expectations are clear about what you will and won’t be able to do. Also, be aware that, even though you are tired, once you are a parent you will need to put aside your own needs when you get home and focus on those of your child and partner. You may have to wait until the baby is down before you read that chapter on pancreatic cancer. Above all, make sure your partner knows how much you value his or her contributions to the family. Tell him or her daily, and help out whenever you can.
This does not mean you need to marry a stay-at-home mom (or dad). You don’t necessarily need to be married at all. Many residents get quite a bit of help from their parents or neighbors. Or, if a partner has a decent income, do what many dual-doctor families do: hire help. Nannies are frequently the most convenient (albeit most expensive) child care option outside of the family. Regardless, it is essential to have reliable regular and backup child care.
4. Be flexible. You and your partner may not be able to get pregnant at the ideal time. It might happen before you are ready or later than you planned. Just remember that there is truly no good time to have a child during residency. You may have to reorganize your call or rotation schedules. Also, don’t get discouraged. It may not happen in the time frame you wanted, but will usually still happen.
5. Organize your priorities. Once you have a child, he or she will take up the majority of your leisure time, what little of it you had. Gone are the days of coming home from a long day in the hospital and sitting in front of the TV with a beer, thumbing through surgical journals. You’ll need to prepare mac and cheese, give baths, and read