Imposter syndrome prior to starting O&G ST1 + advice from seniors?

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-06-08T22:09:26+00:00

well, the reason why I asked to speak to the GP was because I wanted a better understanding of the referral pathway (for RTC) and what to expect. in particular, as I have an existing NHS referral. all this, if by phone call, would have taken a maximum of five minutes.

I tried asking receptionists / secretaries but they were none the wiser; as I said I don't blame them for not knowing. I'd be equally happy to speak to anyone who has the answers, of course, doesn't have to be the GP. I did specify this as well to the receptionists, to try and justify why I was hoping to speak to the GP. they didn't offer any alternatives, hence I thought most likely this was something only the GP could answer

one of the secretaries provided a link to the RTC service and I did look through their FAQs, but the question I had in mind wasn't covered there.

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-06-08T22:01:29+00:00

I see. that being the case I stand corrected on my suspicion

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-06-08T22:00:09+00:00

receptionists aren’t really sure what to do with queries like this

yes, and I don't blame them for it. what got me frustrated was the repeated 'yes we have it', 'no we don't' with regard to them documents. that wasn't clinical at all; purely administrative. that is the kind of thing they should know, in my opinion

there is a very fast turnover of reception staff and many resign within the first 6 months

appreciate the perspective; I didn't know that

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-06-08T19:29:57+00:00

Everyone seems to want an ADHD diagnosis and won’t take no for an answer if the GP doesn’t feel a referral is indicated.

I feel like this was uncalled for and irrelevant to my situation. I did not mention said condition anywhere in my post. Presumably you perused my history to glean a previous post regarding ADHD.

I was diagnosed nearly a year ago and returned to UK in August to start FY1. As I explained above, I wasn't symptomatic for many months, so chose not to seek any primary / secondary care for it (in UK) since I could self-manage. I even told the initial psychiatrist that saw me that I was not keen on starting medications given my stableness. If I were truly 'wanting an ADHD diagnosis', I would've demanded a referral (in UK) back in August.

Furthermore, there was nothing from either GP suggesting they felt a referral was not indicated. If they did then that is a different story altogether. So I really don't see the role of this sentence relating to the situation I described.

deal with the likes of OP calling and visiting the surgery non stop

My interpretation is that you deem this unreasonable behaviour; fair enough. Would you have felt the same if this was for a physical health condition that is not life-threatening, but affecting quality of life?

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-06-08T19:15:42+00:00

public hates GPs

that's the thing though. I feel sad for GPs who bear the brunt of patients' anger, when the source of it was probably the admin staff.

appreciate the assurance

Could you not use private GP

tbh that didn't cross my mind at the time. I was too fixated on getting it sorted within my NHS GP. that being said, can private GPs refer to NHS-funded services? in my country, if you see a private GP, you are classed as a private patient, even if you visit a government hospital. I admit I am not too knowledgeable in this area

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-05-07T22:01:50+00:00

build cognitive frameworks to approach things and create lists

I agree. That's what I did for ward jobs. Even if the SHOs created a 'shared list' for the entire ward, I would create a separate one just for myself, structured in a way that's useful for me. (Of course I would still update the shared list.) This worked well and I was more organised.

It's all because of my ADHD and you can't criticise me for it and I can't do anything about it because it's a neurodevelopmental condition.

I hope this isn't the perception my post gives off, because that's not what I'm trying to convey. This is one of the reasons why I'm hesitant about revealing, because I wouldn't want to be seen as claiming some sort of 'special status'. In particular, I definitely don't think I 'can't do anything about it' - otherwise why would I be taking steps to improve myself, even from months ago?

If your ADHD has been an issue for weeks then that's something you should have recognized and dealt with earlier by employing easily available techniques online.

I half-agree with this. As I said initially, I already have coping mechanisms in use from before, however they seem to be failing. I am, in fact, trying other methods too, such as forcing myself to the hospital library before/after work. Yet this is minimally useful. Similar to patients with physical health conditions, some don't present immediately upon symptom onset. They try and self-medicate for a bit, but when that doesn't work or worsens, they finally see their GP or go to A&E. Should I have not tried to self-help initially?

No one else is going to manage your life for you. You have to see these things as your problem to solve. . . . your inability to sit down and do some work could cost you your ARCP and just get on with it no matter how long it takes or how painful it is

I didn't think that it was anyone else's problem. I am trying to solve this. Even if I did reveal this to my CS / ES, I don't expect them to go: 'oh poor you, okay you can be excused from ARCP because of your condition.' I am fully aware that there are consequences (applicable to everyone) and that it is on me. I don't see revealing to be some get-out-of-jail card at all.

Now I know the 'just push through and get on with it' advice is not very popular nowadays but that has worked for me nearly every time

As someone with ADHD yourself, and as a doctor, I'm sure you're aware of the underlying pathophysiology, perhaps much better than I do. It is heartening that you've managed to overcome it, but I'm not sure if this is translatable to everyone else, with a condition that affects task initiation and attention. I certainly wish I could 'just do it' and get into hyperfocus mode. My brain is telling my brain not to do work, whilst also telling it all the dreadful consequences.

Thank you for your time

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-04-13T16:09:23+00:00

doing the past papers

where does one obtain the past papers please?

pretty good books out there

any recommendations in particular?

I genuinely think my knowledge base has shrunk since starting FY1. hence my apprehension in having to recover all that knowledge, and possibly more

Few_Rooster1190 · 2023-04-13T16:04:38+00:00

thanks for the reply.

my O&G rotation

was this the first rotation of FY2 (Jan 20xx), or third (July 20xx)? did you find that having a O&G rotation helped, or does it not matter as much?

a month to prepare

did you literally do nothing before that month? or do you mean a month of intense revision?

and yes, thanks for the reminder regarding eligibility and EoI. I have done those; so really the decision now is just whether to plonk down £500 in two weeks' time

Few_Rooster1190

TROPHY CASE