Assalamualaikum
first of all - Selamat Hari Raya !!
Takda mood nak post pasal raya tahun ni , sbb full of problems.
Dan menambahkan kekurangan mood itu , bila dapat berita & surat induksi diawalkan.
Induksi diawalkan + tempat yang tak berapa nak best = terus rosak mooood huhu
But still realiti perlu ditelan.
Dan debar tak ingat nak start kerja ni hoho
  | 
| 5 years of study | 
after 5 years of study , another 2 years of survival. 
Dan ada seorang sahabat ada kongsikan " 
Survival Tips" ni di FB jadi saya just nak share pada yang lain.
Debar tak kurang but at least ada panduan emosi sebelum masuk dalam " pressure cooker " tu nanti ^___^
Here it is :
Survival Tips for House Officers / Intern from Dr Harlina 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 1 - Set your intention 
right. It's neither about the money, the highly respected position and 
the power. It is about PUBLIC SERVITUDE, serving those who are in need 
of healthcare. Only after you have served well, then only you could 
deserve the rewards, privileges and rights allocated for medical 
practitioners! Welcome on board!
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS
 : Tip no. 2 - Have the right attitudes. Being the most junior officer 
in the team, you really have a lot to catch up and learn. Never pretend 
that you know all. Never hesitate to admit that you do not know, to ask 
questions and assistance. Respect those who are more experienced than 
you. People with the right attitudes are welcome wherever they go, 
always...all the time!
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no.
 3 - Put on your best smile and outstanding manners. Greet everyone with
 a cheerful salam. No matter how busy you are, don't forget to move your
 temporo-mandibular joints and carve out a big smile. It will stimulate a
 fountain of endorphins in your neuron synapses, and aha...the feel-good
 feeling will set in. Don't believe this? Just try....just do it.
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 4 - Work extra hard to convince 
people that you are reliable, responsible, accountable and able to 
complete tasks and meet expectations - within the first two weeks! Once 
people know you're committed, you'll gain their trust, respect & 
cooperation. Just mark my words! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICER
 : Tip no.5 - Refresh your inner self with daily, constant and effective
 spiritual input. For Muslim, don't ever neglect your 5 times daily 
prayers, no matter how busy you are. You really need that 5 -10 minutes 
regular breaks. It acts as a cooling oasis for you to rejuvenate. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no.6 : Mend your bruised heart and dented
 self-esteem, quickly and effectively - each time you received 
unpleasant reminders of your incompetency & shortcoming from your 
seniors. It's a part and parcel of the job. Admit your mistakes, but 
PLEASE, try hard not to repeat them. To err is human, but to keep doing 
the same error is a major blunder! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no.7 : Keep in touch with your loved ones - parents, 
spouses, close friends, teachers etc. Don't shut out your life, which 
mainly linger around your wards, call roster and private room now. There
 is more to life out there than just work or crashing into bed to 
recover from sleep deprivation. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS
 : Tip no.8 : Make friend with the nurses. Never ever be their enemy. 
Life would be much easier if you know how to win their hearts. Dr Meena 
(Paeds MO) gave me this very precious advice : Harlina, be nice to these
 people (nurses). They will decide whether you will have your meals or 
not during your calls. Yesss, I later realized how true that advice was!
 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no.9 : Forgive those who
 raised their voices at you. They might be angry patients, stressed-up 
MOs, overwhelmed colleagues, frustrated consultants, irritated nurses 
etc. Nobody had ever shouted at you before,eh? Being a HO, anticipate 
your first experience here. Forgive them, forget them and live on. After
 all, we're all just humans living in the same pressure cooker! 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no.10 - Thank God for the honour of being
 His instrument/tool of Mercy to mankind. A great opportunity is at your
 doorstep to catapult your good self to be bigger than life. Grab that 
opportunity and seize the golden moments. Nothing compares with the 
feeling of satisfaction whenever your patients & relatives say : 
Thank you, Doc !
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 11 - 
Handle yourself well when dealing with difficult people. Feeling 
victimized, bullied and discriminated? After reflecting on yourself, I 
suggest you pluck some courage to meet face-to-face. Clarify, admit your
 mistakes and make peace. InsyaAllah, things will be fine. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 12 - Treat your patients as if they 
are your own parents/relatives. Just as how you would like any doctor to
 treat your parents, that's exactly how you should treat your patients 
now. Remember, what comes around, goes around! Motivate your patients 
always, you'll feel the positive energy seeping into you too. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 13 - Express your love to your spouse
 everyday, using his/her love language. Let him/her know how much 
his/her support & understanding means to you. Share your ups and 
downs, laughter & tears. Thank Allah everyday for sending you this 
special person. Those who are still unmarried, what's keeping you, guys?
 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 14 - Be sincere in 
treating your patients, be gentle and caring. Control your anger and 
frustration, avoid explosive emotional outburst in front of your 
patients. If you really need to release the steam, do it in the washroom
 with the tap running (peace, Mother Earth)- I consider that as an 
effective form of anger management! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no. 15 - Keep abreast with what's happening around you - 
medical & non-medical, locally and globally. Read the papers, 
journals & magazines, listen to the news bulletin, engage in general
 discussions. Have your own opinions. You're a doctor now! People wanna 
know what's going on in your brain. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no. 16 - Always extend a helping hand to your 
peers/colleague HOs.That's the only way to ensure help comes your way 
the next time you desperately need one. Less of `Me, Myself & I', 
please! More of `We & Us' now. Be a sporting team member, will ya! 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 17 - Make effort to remember names 
esp. your patients'. Address them appropriately. If you're greeting them
 for the first time, use `Encik, Cik & Puan' instead of `PakCik, 
Makcik, Pak Aji, Apek, Aci, Akak, Abang, Adik'. Make quick glances at 
the patient's file and pronounce his/her full name clearly. Just see how
 impressed they will be! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip 
no. 18 - Endure the disappointment when you discover the realities of 
the system. Witnessing unprofessional, unethical conducts - far from 
what you learnt in med schools? Feeling upset, angry, demoralized? Good,
 at least I can count on you to be a future committed agent of change! 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS: Tip no. 19 - Learn to read your 
consultants'/specialists' minds. What do they want from a HO? 
Dedication, commitment, eagerness to learn, willingness to be corrected 
& guided. Give them those, and they won't make your life miserable. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS: Tip no. 20 - Keep your room in the HO quarter 
clean, tidy & cheerful! Hire a keeper if you could afford one.Throw 
away all the rotten left-overs. Buy an air-freshener & some flowers.
 Pull up the curtains, let the sunlight in. It's supposed to be a 
bedroom, not a cave! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS: Tip no. 
21 - Spend your salary wisely. Share your first paycheck with your loved
 ones. Pay up your debts / credit card bills. Recall your financial 
planning lessons. Avoid weekly shopping mall rounds. Window shop with 
your stomach full, you'll be able to control the cravings 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS: Tip no. 22 - Push the `pause' button, get out 
for some fresh air, watch the sunrise/sunset. Reflect & contemplate.
 Remember, you just a small part of a very complex design. Put your 
perspectives back on track. Inhale & exhale - be grateful to Allah 
for everything you have. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip 
no. 23 - Volunteer to help arranging the call roster.Experience the pain
 in accomodating all requests and dealing with unhappy colleagues who 
could not get their wishes. Best time to learn how to give & take 
here! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 24 - Be 
friendly & mix around with everyone. Do not reserve your greetings 
only for the bosses & VIPs. Greet the staff nurses, PKs, cleaners, 
security guards, gardeners etc. Drink your coffee at the pantry. Stop 
being choosy & selective. Snobs are lonely people. 
SURVIVAL 
TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 25 - Pray for your patients' 
well-being. Support their emotional & spiritual needs. Listen to 
their stories. Don't be afraid to be close to your patients. You will 
learn how to detach your emotions & rational thinking while looking 
after patients - so you'll remain objective and professional.Learn the 
balance to keep the ideal distance between you and the patients. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 26 - Surprise those who look down 
upon you by exceeding their expectations. Impress those who think highly
 of you by exceeding their expectation too. Whatever it is, do your 
level best. Be brave to take up challenges, be humble enough to ask for 
assistance and be ready to receive feedback - Recipe for a satisfying 
career! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 27 - Do not 
allow self pity to consume you now. Never curse yourself. Regretting 
your life choice of becoming a medical doctor, feeling envious with 
those friends who are enjoying life, free to do whatever they like? 
Well, I bet they're envious of YOU too! Just hang on there, persevere 
& be strong. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 28 -
 Admit your mistakes and try to redeem yourself. It takes a lot of 
courage, self-esteem and confidence to own up for your shortcomings. At 
the same time, do not boast around and inflate yourself. If you've 
really done good, let others acknowledge. You do not have to keep 
reminding others. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 29 -
 Enhance your medical knowledge thru' revising textbooks/notes ( I hope 
you haven't sold all textbooks to the juniors in med school!). Get 
answers to questions ASAP. Experience medicine with accurate 
knowledge/information, not simply following orders like zombies -without
 critical thinking. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 
30 - Let the deaths of your patients serve as gentle reminders/ 
tazkeerah - that you will also face yours, sooner or later. Treat the 
dead with respect, whoever they were. Look at those cold, still bodies -
 now separated from their souls. Pray for them. Convey your condolences 
to the mourning relatives... they'll appreciate that. 
SURVIVAL 
TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 31 - Keep in touch with your emotions,
 but avoid being overwhelmed. Acknowledge the anger, sadness, 
frustration, confusion etc. Don't simply brush them off, what more 
trying to stiffle them! Manage those emotions - you're a human being, 
not a robot! Ventilate, it helps clearing up your lungs & mind. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 32 - Promise yourself that you're 
gonna make one person smile today! He/she might be your patient, 
colleague, MO, consultant, staff or spouse & parents at home. Simple
 rule of life - if you wanna smile, make another person smile, if you 
wanna be happy, make another person happy, if you want people to 
appreciate you, appreciate others first!
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no. 33 - Commit yourself to life long learning from your 
surroundings. Your patients are your best teachers. Learn how they 
handle bad news, manage their emotions, ask for help and accept their 
fate. Despite all the pain & sorrow, they still tell you how much 
they appreciate what you've done for them. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR 
HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 34 - Master the negotiation skills, otherwise 
life can be so inflexible and stressful. No matter how busy, there is 
definitely time for short prayers, quick meals, brief naps & shower 
time. The secret? You just have to know how to negotiate with people 
around you. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 35 - 
Start scribbling your life journal / log book. You're facing new 
challenges everyday, it's too precious to simply let them pass by 
without any acknowledgment. Write down the lessons learnt. You will have
 to share those with others one day. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no. 36 - Agree to disagree - the best way to handle 
difference of opinions. Speak your mind out, share your concerns & 
input. Don't be a YES-man all the time, people won't notice that you 
exist! Learn to say ` I beg to differ' as a subtle way to say `No, I 
don't agree with you! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no.
 37 - Observe your consultant's leadership style closely - emulate what 
is exemplary, avoid what is not impressive. Do not get involved in power
 play. Be principle-centred. At times you have to disagree with your 
friend if he/she is wrong and compliment your enemy if he/she is doing 
the right thing 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 38 - 
Be professional - what does that mean in simple term? Doing the right 
thing when nobody is watching! Three elements of professionalism - self 
reflection, self regulation, self correction. You're expected to give 
your best and place patient's interest above self! How's that? 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 39 - Put aside some money for 
charity. For Muslims, start saving for your Hajj pilgrimage. Make time 
to open Tabung Haji account, if you haven't done that yet. Share and be 
generous. Enjoy the feel-good feeling of sharing your wealth with 
others. 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 40 - Try to 
perform one task extra than what is expected of you each day. This is to
 avoid boredom out of routinized activities. How about volunteering to 
push the patient's trolley to the OT, buying lunch at the warong for the
 ward staff or helping a patient to the washroom? Yes, it is not YOUR 
job, I know. I'm just suggesting. Don't be angry with me!
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 41 - Ask yourself these questions 
time and again: `Is this world a better place because I am around?' Do I
 make a difference?' Human beings need to have answers to those 
questions. It's our spiritual need : self-actualization in Maslow's 
Pyramid on Hierarchy of Human Needs.
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE 
OFFICERS : Tip no. 42 - Always end your conversation with your patients 
with this magical question : ` Is there anything else that you would 
like to know from me?' So many questions can spring out from the 
patient's mouth - worries, concerns and misunderstanding which need 
immediate attention & clarification. Now you know why so many 
patients did not turn up for their follow-up visits, eh? 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 43 - Visualize who you would be in 10
 years time. It's not too early to apply creative visualization 
techniques now. That's the first step towards your success. Come on 
guys, you shouldn't just barely survive this housemanship, you have to 
succeed! 
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 44 - Keep 
holding to your principles, even when nobody seems to bother. Be the 
only one doing the right thing, tho' everyone else seem to favour & 
do the opposite. Truth will always prevail, sooner or later. You have to
 be strong to be a person of substance & integrity. 
SURVIVAL
 TIPS FOR HOUSE OFFICERS : Tip no. 45 - Be an outstanding team member. 
Always be helpful, considerate and committed. Be ready to take up 
leadership role whenever necessary. At the same time, don't be bullied 
around. Defend your rights, stand strong on your ground. You'll be liked
 and respected, just mark my words!  
Loves,
Dr. Har (( Alumni HO ; General Hospital KL - August 1991 to July 1992)
p/s : Yosh , ainsabrina akan mula bekerja . Tolong doakan saya dapat menghadapi 2 tahun HO yang penuh cabaran ini !! Yosh !!!
p/sss : mungkin bila dah start keja nnti , ssh dah nak update kat siniiii.