Guide To Intern Etiquette

OVERVIEW

The intern year (regardless of if it is a medical, surgical, or transitional one) can be a very trying time. As a result social conventions may break down and people may find themselves acting in ways they would have never predicted. It is for this reason that this section of the website is being dedicated to discussing the proper etiquette of being an intern.

While the concept of etiquette may seem as though it should be reserved for a stuffy dinner party, it also very much applies to practicing medicine (source).

While the concept of etiquette may seem completely out of place given the frantic nature of the life of an intern, the sections below are designed to show how following some simple guidelines can improve the intern experience for everyone involved.

KEY TOPICS

This topic of intern etiquette is a very broad one. For that reason the following sections were created to intuitively group together social guidelines and standards that will help ensure one’s success during the intern year:

  • Paging Etiquette: it may seem like a simple task however there are certain things to keep in mind when paging others and their are some conventions that should be followed.
  • Post Procedure Signout: when completing a procedure generally it is an accepted practice to reach out to the person who will managing the patient’s post procedure care and given them a summary of what was done and what to anticipate. This is incredibly important for maintaining continuity of care.