Jack of All Trades

You see those people who rarely voluntarily contribute to the conversations going on around them? Fear them. Because they may not be conversing with you but they are conversing about you in their heads.

 

I’m afraid I’m one of those people. Once I told myself I should write down all the replies that I could have given to people that I swallowed instead. Now, I have my chance to do that on here.

 

But first, there’s something you should know about Family Medicine residents right off the bat. There is no easy way to say this, but we are not the most respected among medical specialties.

 

I guess many patients appreciate what we do, but in my thinking 7 out of 10 doctors in other specialties raise their noses at us. We have been called many names, jack of all trade, traffic warders, glorified medical officers, to mention a few.

 

So you can imagine how we are perceived when we go on these postings to other specialties especially surgical specialties like O&G.

 

My current posting is no exception. But by now, I’m used to the snide remarks and suspicious glances. It doesn’t bother me anymore. More so, now that I know the real reason I chose Family Medicine.

 

Right now, you could call me a blogger, podcaster, youtuber, facebooker, instagrammer, twiterrer and you wouldn’t be wrong. I’m everywhere, poking my nose into everything and enjoying the ride. Little wonder I chose a specialty like Family Medicine where you poke your nose into every corner of Medicine.

 

But did you know that “jack of all trade, master of none” is actually an incomplete version of that quote? That’s right. The full quote reads “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one”. It’s actually meant to be a compliment and not a diss.

 

So back to the conversations that go on in my head about people. Since resuming this new posting, I have met new personalities who intrigue me already. But I haven’t told them what I think about them, heavens, I haven’t even opened my mouth many times enough to talk about anything.

 

In subsequent posts, I’ll be writing about them, but I do need your help with something. I need to come up with a standard reply for when I’m asked a question to which I do not have an answer. Bear in mind that I am a Senior Resident in a specialty that prides itself in knowing a little about everything.

 

Do I say “I can’t remember right now” or “I do not have an answer to that” or “I’ll check that up and get back to you” or simply “I do not know”.

 

I would very much like your suggestions. Today was a good day though, I nailed the question that flew in my direction and that is a good sign. Or is it?

 

Meanwhile, I think I can commit to posting every other day. Truth is, I’ve had a lot of things to say since medical school which I’ve been bottling up. But like I said in my last post, I believe now the stars have aligned, and I want to spill every bean in my basket.

 

If you’d like to receive post notifications on WhatsApp, click here

 

Talk soon,

ajidara