Thriving - not just surviving - as an IMG

Although working in the NHS can be an immensely rewarding career, it can become overwhelming if the right self-care and support is not practised. Here Dr Maiedha Raza and Mr Solyman Hassouna of Maraz Healthcare have some ideas for you to consider.

This article aims to provide a few helpful tips to enable IMGs to make the most of their NHS careers, while truly thriving in the process. These tips draw their inspiration from personal and colleague experience, including those of other international medical graduates.

Breaks are important

Depending on the ward or clinic you are working on, it may sometimes feel difficult to be able to take your break on time. As a one off, this is understandable and reflects the nature of the work. However, if this is a regular occurrence, it is important to raise the issue with your supervisor or manager. It is important that your free time is respected and inevitably helps you to recharge – this in turn helps you to give your patients the best possible care.

If, for whatever reason, you can't take the full break, try stepping outside the environment you are working in for a few minutes to help you reset, if it’s practicable to do so. This can be especially helpful if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed in the moment. Something as simple as stepping into the hospital gardens for a few minutes and getting some fresh air can make all the difference. It may feel difficult to do this in the moment, but with practice you will get better at knowing when you need to take a minute for yourself. 

Something to look forward to

Having something to look forward to can also be a great way to break up the day and increase resilience. Something as simple as a nice coffee or a favourite snack can go a long way to help re-energise you psychologically. It is also important to remember how physically active some jobs can be. Ensuring you have a water bottle to keep you hydrated on the long shifts can really help. Remember, not all hospitals/surgeries have a water fountain or cafe you can easily access, especially outside normal working hours.

Leave work at work

Work can sometimes seem all-consuming, and it can be easy for work worries to creep into your free time at home. If you feel something might linger on your mind when you get home, try and make a habit of dealing with it before the end of your shift.

This may just mean sharing your worries with another colleague so they can be aware of your concern. It is always better to vocalise a concern and share it with colleagues than to sit on it alone. A team approach to a problem is almost always a better way to solve it.

Some people find the commute from work to home to be a helpful time to run through the patients they have seen and 'problem-solve' any outstanding issues. This means by the time you get home you are ready to relax. Everyone will have a slightly different approach, but it is about knowing when to switch off from the worries of work so you can truly relax and recuperate. 

The time that you are out of work can be just as important for your resilience as the time in work. Your free time should be for rest and a chance to do other things not related to work. 

Engage in activities outside work

A common tip we came across was to use your days off to engage in activities that are unrelated to work, whether that involves exploring the local area, or spending some time in nature. It is amazing how much being in nature can really help to keep stress at bay. Being engaged in non-medical related activities is also a great way to help put things into perspective.

These tips are just a starting point to help you thrive whilst working in the NHS. There are many other things that healthcare staff have felt has helped them look after their wellbeing. Only by being willing to try different approaches will you be able to see what works for you as an individual. Don't be afraid to experiment and drop things that don't work – having an open mind will ultimately lead to a thriving career.

Build your resilience

Medical Protection understands that the demand placed on modern clinicians means the possibility of burnout is growing significantly, impacting both the quality of care and potential increase in risk to patients. They offer members a ‘Building resilience and avoiding burnout’ workshop to help doctors recognise the signs of burnout. If you are a member, then there’s no cost to take part and it can help give you the knowledge and confidence to manage the symptoms to recover as well as prevent reoccurrence. Log on to your online learning account to find out more.