Related posts:
- The Orthopaedics Posting – Housemanship Diaries
- Time Management Amidst Housemanship As A Junior Doctor
- My Daily Morning Routine As A House Officer In The Orthopaedics Posting – Housemanship Diaries
- My Support System During My First Posting In Orthopaedics As A Junior Doctor In Malaysia – Housemanship Diaries
- My “Coming Morning” Priority – Housemanship Diaries
I started my first official “Day 1 of Tagging” or “Day 1 of Life” on the 4th of July 2023, in the Department of Orthopaedics and also housemanship / internship at Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
What is “Tagging”?
“Tagging” consists of a two-week long period of working from 7am-10pm on paper with one day off per week. During this period, we are mostly assigned to wards and a senior in the posting / department and learn how to function as well as to learn our duties.
I would consider this to be the toughest period within the posting. Firstly, due to the long hours of work. Irregardless of how motivated one is prior to starting, the exhaustion and lack of proper rest will eventually begin to attack you mentally as well. However, having a good mindset and determination does make a big difference and helps you in the long term.
Next, we are somewhat “bullied“. I did not actually realise it till after a few seniors mentioned it and I saw this cycle being repeated with my fellow juniors and newcomers within the posting. Most of the work will get “dumped” on us and we are required to carry out all of it and being a fellow “first poster” who is also both new to the hospital and posting, I was definitely overwhelmed. However, I try to view the positive aspect of it whereby it is necessary for us to “suffer through” because it taught us how to prioritise certain job lists and to work smart and efficiently.
The “tagging” period was extremely tough for me as I am rather slow in learning. Thus, it took me longer than my fellow intake of colleagues to learn the “Foundation of being a House Officer”.
I had to learn how to review the patients and most importantly, how to document. Talking and assessing was the easiest. However, keeping up with the rounds and documenting the necessary input in a specific manner was difficult. Most of the time, I could barely keep up. Thankfully, I had many kind seniors who were more than willing to teach, provided that I asked. Naturally, I was a curious person. Hence, the habit of asking was second nature to me.
Sadly, this applies to simple and menial things as well. Thankfully, my dear colleagues were more than helpful.
Being a tagger in the Orthopaedic posting does not only mean long hours but it also means that we will be “cc-ed” to go downstairs to clerk a case from the emergency department as well as to carry out the active job-lists. The “taggers” are usually the ones called first followed by the “Short Day – SD”, “Long Day – LD” and “On-night – ON” in the wards for that day, as long as it is within your working hours, of course.
Throughout my whole 2 weeks, I did not bother to consume anything in between and sometimes even after work. I was simply too exhausted and would usually just starve and crash. It took a toll on my mental health and I was near the point of calling it quits. On top of that, I could not see or understand the point of my whole role in the ward. It was simply overwhelming for me and I felt like a lost sheep, being a “newborn doctor”.
It was then, a senior gave me a simple advice which we all have heard of but probably something I have forgotten amidst letting myself drown in a sea of overwhelms. It is something I tell myself everyday because the first two months were extremely difficult and I couldn’t go to sleep nor did I look forward for work the following day. This was accompanied by multiple panic attacks prior to starting my shift. Personally, I was extremely glad to be done with it. Things became better eventually, partly due to the working hours and we began the “flexi-shifts”.
Is “Tagging” important?
Most definitely.
It is the time for you to learn as much as you can about the system of the department, the layout as well as how to function before you are left to your own device.
However, I disagree with the hours, especially since it is continuous for 2 weeks with only a day of break in between. It is extremely exhausting.
Some word of Advice?
Firstly, try to learn as much as you possibly can. This it the time for you to make mistakes although you try not to as you are still learning.
Next, keep asking, even if you are the most annoying person and the other person is probably not as helpful, move on to others but always remember to ask for help when you need it. Help is always available and much nearer than you think, even if you feel that you are alone.
Do carry some snacks in your bag. I do understand that while trying to complete the job lists given for the day, you may have forgotten to eat. But that’s only normal, by having a snack during those random free periods or walk to the lab or blood bank, you are able to replenish yourself. You definitely do need the energy.
Do show up everyday. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense at first and sometimes, it may seem overwhelming and extremely difficult. However, just show up and give your ultimate best followed by a tap on your shoulder for doing so.
Go back on time. You came earlier than your allocated time and worked round the clock till late night. Just pass on to the next person on shift and return home because you would have to do it all over again the following day.
Try to get as much sleep as you can.
As I mentioned, you are going to work way earlier than your allocated time slot. Do not waste the remaining precious hour on matters which are less important such as mindless scrolling through social media or staying up even later by hanging out with friends. If possible, wait till after you have completed the “tagging period”.
Keep a good mindset. Bad times do not last. Always approach a situation with hope and determination as well as willingness to learn. We are after all serving our own society.
These were my experiences during my 2 weeks long of “tagging”. However, I am still in my first posting, at the time of writing this article and I am tentatively leaving on the 3rd of November 2023. Thus, I’ve yet to experience it in other postings.
All the best to you if you will be starting your housemanship or internship soon.
Related posts:
- The Orthopaedics Posting – Housemanship Diaries
- Time Management Amidst Housemanship As A Junior Doctor
- My Daily Morning Routine As A House Officer In The Orthopaedics Posting – Housemanship Diaries
- My Support System During My First Posting In Orthopaedics As A Junior Doctor In Malaysia – Housemanship Diaries
- My “Coming Morning” Priority – Housemanship Diaries
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