Mastering the August Changeover: 8 Tips for Junior Doctors

Written by: Dominique Dao

So it’s that time of the year again. August marks the annual changeover in the world of medical training, a time that can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're transitioning from medical student to foundation doctor, foundation doctor to core trainee, or core trainee to specialty doctor, this period signifies a significant step in your career. You're one year closer to your career goals, hopefully a bit wiser, and possibly enjoying some financial gains. However, this transition also brings increased responsibilities and expectations, and you might be moving to a new city or hospital, making it feel like starting over.

Regardless of how you view this change, preparation and managing expectations can help smooth the transition, making it less of a "Black Wednesday." Here are 7 tips to master the changeover.

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Hospital and Its Location

Visit your new hospital and department a few days before your start date to get used to the new settings and find out where your induction or department will be. If a visit isn’t possible, arrive earlier than usual on your first day to avoid getting lost in the hospital corridors.

Plan your commute if you’re using public transport: check routes, schedules, and potential delays. If you’re driving or cycling, ensure you have accounted for parking and traffic. Sorting out parking arrangements before starting is crucial to avoid the stress of parking tickets after long shifts.

2. Secure Accommodation Early

Arrange housing as soon as possible, whether it's hospital accommodation or a private rental. Consider proximity to the hospital, local amenities, and costs. Ensure you have enough funds to cover rent, bills, and other expenses before payday. Payroll issues are common in August, so be prepared for potential delays in your salary. If you face financial difficulties, speak to your payroll team and educational supervisor—they can often help more than you might expect.

3. Familiarize Yourself with Your Timetable and Working Patterns

Ideally, you should receive your timetable 6 weeks before changing over, though this isn’t always the case. Familiarize yourself with your on-call days, rest days, and study time. Raise any discrepancies in your rota early with the rota managers. Review your contract and seek advice from the BMA if needed.

Book annual and study leave early and communicate this with your team to ensure adequate department coverage. Treat yourself after long stints of work by going for a walk, run, trip, or simply relaxing and ordering in.

4. Sort Out Your Hospital Logins Early

One of the best things you can do is sort out your IT logins as early as possible. Despite the NHS IT system needing significant upgrades, having access to it is crucial for your job. Much of a junior doctor’s role involves requesting and reviewing bloods and scans. Ensuring your IT access is sorted will help you avoid unnecessary stress, especially during night shifts.

5. Familiarize Yourself with Your Portfolio

Understand your training needs and look for opportunities to be signed off on required competencies. Engage in projects, audits, quality improvement initiatives, or teaching sessions early. Aim to complete most of your portfolio requirements in the first 4-6 months to avoid the rush before your ARCP.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions and Seek Help

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in a new position or environment. Asking for help is not a sign of failure or weakness; it’s part of growth. Medicine can be intimidating, but with time, you’ll grow in confidence and competence. Work within your limits, escalate issues early, take breaks, and don’t ignore your mental health.

7. Get to Know Your Team

Building good relationships with your team is crucial. Identify your seniors, juniors, other healthcare colleagues, administrative staff, and managers. A supportive and collaborative environment significantly enhances your work experience and efficiency.

8. Get Organized

To achieve the previous points, effective time management is key. Find a system that helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Organization looks different for everyone, and it can be learned. Start with a simple to-do list and set clear, measurable, and achievable goals, both personally and professionally. Remember, the way to tackle overwhelming tasks is one step at a time.

I hope these 8 tips help make your transition less intimidating and more manageable. Enjoy this next stage of your life, and remember, life is for the living.

Written by

Dominique Dao,

Internal Medical Trainee

Founder of Dao Skincare

Social Media and Marketing Lead of the Skin of Colour Training UK