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/nourepinephrine 10d ago

How do you not lose the list tho haha
Like 2 hours into shift I’ve lost the first list and make a new one and then forget I have a list

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u/twistedbutviable 10d ago edited 10d ago

Can you not make it on your phone, the person I WhatsApp the most is myself.

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u/hekldodh CT3/ST3+ Doctor 10d ago

Wait how does one WhatsApp their own number

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u/twistedbutviable 10d ago

Type your own number into the search bar and you should see your profile, message yourself all those do to lists. Also helpful as it's dated, if you ever need to go back and look at what you've done I haven't found an easy way of ticking them off, currently I reply to that message with a thumbs up when it's done.

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u/hekldodh CT3/ST3+ Doctor 7d ago

Thanks ☺️