Common Mistakes We All Make During Clinical Postings
Clinical postings are where real medicine begins. But let’s be honest, most of us fumble through them at first and that’s okay. What matters is whether we learn from those mistakes. Here are some common ones almost every med student makes, and how to avoid them.
1. Going Unprepared
We walk into rounds thinking we’ll pick things up on the spot. But without even a basic understanding of the ward topic, everything feels confusing. Just 15 minutes of reading beforehand can make the entire posting more meaningful.
2. Not Taking History Yourself
We often rely on one person to do the talking while the rest of us just nod. But unless you speak to the patient yourself, you’ll never build confidence. It’s awkward at first, but it’s the only way to improve.
3. Ignoring the Patient
Sometimes we’re so focused on presenting well or writing a perfect case sheet that we forget there’s a person lying in that bed. Sit down, talk, and really listen. You’ll be surprised how much you learn just from that.
4. Not Asking Doubts
We hold back questions because we’re afraid of sounding dumb. But the truth is, everyone else has the same doubt. If you ask, you learn. If you don’t, you keep pretending and that helps no one.
5. Forgetting to Follow Up
You take the history once and move on. But that same patient might develop new signs or get new reports tomorrow. Follow-up teaches you how diseases progress and how treatment decisions are made.
6. Skipping Clinics Unless Attendance Is Taken
We all do it sometimes, but in the long run, it hurts. There’s no replacement for hands-on learning. Show up consistently… that’s half the battle won.
7. Trying to Act Smart Instead of Being Honest
Pretending to know something you don’t will only backfire. It’s okay to say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll look it up.” That’s what good students and future good doctors actually do.