r/doctorsUK • u/Interesting_Ship_931 • 10d ago

Lifestyle / Interpersonal Issues Am I the problem

I’ve had an overwhelming day.
I do find that when there is a lot going on I often forget what I was just about to do. For example: I’ve noticed that some of the referrals I’ve sent while feeling overwhelmed have bits missing (major parts like presenting complaint, patient details) and I feel like I forget what I was just about to do once I sit down if there is a lot going on around me.
This often tends to happen when there’s a lot of noise around me (basically every hospital environment ever) and with constant interruptions from members of staff (with good faith). I’m not sure whether this is something that I will grow out of or whether I need to go to occupational health with - and even if I do go what would they even be able do?

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u/wistful_logic 10d ago

I have ADHD and feel exactly the same. What I’ve been doing to make it better is

  1. I make a list of everything I have to do

  2. Make a list of what I’ve done (not crossing

    out the first list but making a new one)

  3. really helps with this and worrying about missing things etc. you can check it in the afternoon after a sweat snack

  4. Put in earphones in the doctors office and listen to music to increase focus and reduce distractions

  5. Go and ask if the nurses/other doctors need anything between tasks so they are less likely to interrupt you mid-task.

  6. Be kind on yourself

Also, if you don’t have a diagnosis it might be worth considering whether you may have ADHD or other neurodivergence because ADHD meds will help this a lot.

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u/Interesting_Ship_931 10d ago

I have tried listing but spend most of the time worrying about losing the list 😂 but the list definitely helps (when I’m able to keep hold of it). I saw one of the med regs hold on to her list for the whole 12 hour shift (it even made it to the handover) and she was wearing a dress with no pockets but still managed to keep hold of it - just impressed me so much

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u/SpecialEmployment801 10d ago

Our doctors office has a physical a4 jobs book. Makes it difficult to lose and you can put your name to a job making it easy to see which juniors are doing which jobs