Making the transition from medical student to junior doctor

Abstract

The transition between medical students and junior doctors is known to be a notoriously challenging period of time, contributed by heavy clinical responsibilities, steep learning curves, poor working conditions and various psychological stressors. In addition, there is often a significant lack of support at the organisational or health systems level for fledgling junior physicians in their transition to work life. In this article, I hope to offer several important guiding principles from the perspectives of a medical resident-in-training that I hope will be useful for graduating medical students to ease their transition into the foundational year of practice, such that they can optimise their training and work experience within what is in their control and maintain a sense of purpose even in difficult times.