Senior IMG doctors share their top tips for starting out in the NHS.

Take your wellbeing seriously

• To avoid becoming overwhelmed, make sure you have regular breaks throughout the day and book in regular holidays.
• If you are busy, see whether you can find a colleague to help – and in turn, return the favour when they are busy.
• Remember to stay calm and professional, both in person and in writing – particularly in communications around patient information.
• Never feel embarrassed to ask questions, however trivial the topic may seem to you.
• You should be respected and treated kindly by others.
• If you are having difficulties with another member of the team, try and resolve this informally initially but if this is unsuccessful, raise it with your seniors. 

Get into good habits at work

• Handover time is known to be a high-risk time for patient care, so make sure you are prepared and communicate all the key points for each patient, so that nothing is missed by the incoming team
• Try to avoid abbreviations where they may be confusing. Minimise the use of jargon when speaking to patients.
• Where possible, volunteer to sit in with consultants or senior trainees during difficult consultations - eg breaking bad news, before doing so yourself.
• Keep your own record or eportfolio of clinical cases, courses attended, certificates, exams and reflective practice.
• If you identify a more efficient way of doing things, volunteer to lead change within your department after discussing it with your seniors and nurses.
• Make sure you obtain constructive feedback on how to become a better doctor from those working around you.

Think about your career development

Be proactive when things go wrong

• Working in the NHS can be difficult and stressful, with things happening extremely quickly. It’s important to know where to turn when they don’t go to plan.
• Speak to a senior colleague to identify where things could have gone better and, if a patient was involved, whether to approach the patient with a colleague.
• Remember, saying sorry does not mean that you automatically did something wrong.
• If you have been asked to write a statement, contact your medical defence union for advice. They can review your statement and make sure it is appropriate. Write a reflective practice and keep it in your e-portfolio.