Surviving Your PDY
Start by "Letting Go" of the expectation that you will know everything.
Without a doubt, many PDYs make the mistake of assuming that having completed their university degree, they should "know" all there is to know about Radiography. It's not about pride or conscious self-inflation, but having received our shining diplomas, we might fool ourselves with strange expectations. If after the first month or so, you find yourself very critical about your downfalls and lack of knowledge, then stop: maybe you need to be a little easier on yourself. While universities offer invaluable theoretical and practical education, the PDY year is all about hands-on learning in a dynamic clinical environment. Lectures, assignments and practicals are going to be replaced by emotional patients, co-workers of varying dispositions and demanding, scrutinising Radiologists. All these elements combine to create a very overwhelming workplace. Yet it can also be a great opportunity to learn.
The key is to keep an open mind. Begin by taking a deep breath and treating your PDY year as a 12-month long learning experience. Don't be afraid to consider varying techniques your fellow Radiographers and Radiologists are using. Most importantly, ask the question "Why"? More often than not, there's a reason why a certain Radiographer leans towards certain projections and if you at least understand the reasoning behind it, then it's much easier to see the merit of their techniques. Even if you don't agree with their choices, at least take note and store it in the archive of your mind. It's eerie how a few years later, you'll end up with a strange case where no other view works except that "bizarre projection crazy so-and-so showed me".
Learn not to take your Ego and that of Others too seriously.
A workplace, like any other environment, is not without its conflicts and personalities. Inevitably, you will encounter someone or a group of people that just rub you the wrong way. Especially when that personality belongs to a Senior Radiographer or the Chief Radiologist, aka Your Boss. So what should you do? Firstly, everyone deals with conflict differently and there's no "right" way that suits everyone. However, before investing your energies into a career-long feud, it might be helpful to stand back for a moment and look at the bigger picture. Here are two personal examples to illustrate the point:
i) A Critical Co-Worker
I was once in a suburban practice where this older female Radiographer seemed to criticise many of my projections. She would constantly offer feedback (even when I hadn't asked for it) and would even go so far as to show me how to fold gowns. I was frustrated because I felt attacked and stressed. At the same time, she grew more frustrated because I was less willing to listen to her. In the end, we both gave up and kept polite but minimal relations. It was only after moving to another practice that I realised my radiography technique was in fact, somewhat sloppy and she'd simply been trying to help. Granted, it might have been done a little unskillfully but her intention had been entirely altruistic. Once I recognised this, I stopped holding onto that animosity and focused my energy into improving my radiography.
Of course, not all conflicts have happy endings. Sometimes, it is necessary to put space between you and the other party or in extreme cases, find a more harmonious practice altogether. When this isn't an option, the best you can do is pacify the situation until choices become available. In extreme situations, seek the assistance of Human Resource. If things get out of hand, don't bear the burden alone. Make sure you seek advice and support.ii) A Demanding Radiologist
During my PDY year, I had to work with a radiologist who was renowned for both his particular ways and his expertise. I was always so nervous about doing something wrong that inevitably, I would become distracted and of course, do something stupid. He would react very harshly - which only lowered my self-confidence and thus perpetuated the cycle. I set aside some personal time to reflect on the situation. What I realised was that despite our differences, we needed each other. A radiologist is entirely dependent on the radiographer producing his x-rays, just as the radiographer is entirely dependent on the expertise of the radiologist to make a living. With that knowledge in mind, I made the determination that whatever it took, I would make an effort to become focused and knowledgeable about how this radiologist liked his procedures. Gradually, we were able to trust each other and every now and then, I would ask the radiologist why he did it this way or preferred a particular technique. He always enjoyed teaching and explained his reasons to me, which were always logical and precise. I developed deep respect for his skill and knowledge. Meanwhile, the radiologist knew I was always willing to be reliable and helpful. As a result, we cultivated a good professional relationship that makes both our working lives easier. And it doesn't just stop there - our patients also benefited from our mutual respect.
Have Pride in your own Radiological Standard
It's easy to fall into the trap of showing up for a shift and watching the hours drag by, motivated solely by the size of your pay packet. However, there is another alternative. Radiography can be a rewarding career if you consider the bigger picture: how can your radiography improve the diagnosis and quality of life for your patients? To do this, you have to become your own tutor or radiologist. After you've taken your x-rays, take a few minutes to assess your work to see if it's up to scratch. Does it show what you're looking for? Is there room for improvement? What could you have done differently? Given the circumstances and ability/limitations of your patient, was this the most diagnostic x-ray you could have taken for them? If you need to repeat the x-ray, what must you do to ensure a higher quality x-ray? Thinking in this way helps to focus your radiological standard. Don't be afraid to invest energy towards improving your work. Of course, you should balance this with a gentle attitude that simply acknowledges the truth of your abilities without being overly critical or harsh. When you do note something that can be changed or improved, make the conscious decision to do so and be content in that effort.
Don't be Afraid to face the Unknown.
So often, I hear students or a PDY curse when an unknown procedure or difficult request falls into their hands. Sure, you could gnash and grind your teeth. But wouldn't it be interesting if you looked at this new examination as an opportunity? Since Radiography is based on evolving technology, it's always going to be dynamic and changing. And since change and learning are always going to be part of Radiography, it's therefore wise to work with change, rather than against it. So instead of resenting new procedures or foreign projections, try to develop curiosity and a willingness to learn. Instead of finding excuses to flee your department, why not ask to sit-in on the procedure or see if someone can help you out? And if you're still not comfortable after seeing it once or twice, then the only cure is to keep doing it over and over again. Eventually, it becomes second nature and it's no longer foreign territory. You might even learn to appreciate what you once found so daunting.
Why Asking for Help isn't lame but Smart.
It can be hard to ask for help from certain staff or radiologists. Maybe they're in a bad mood and we don't want to make the situation worse. Or it could be that it's difficult to swallow our pride and admit the lack of knowledge. Sometimes, those surgeons and radiologists are just plain scary. However, it's always been my experience that it's better to admit that you're in need of some pointers rather than just "winging it". If you struggle with a procedure that's entirely beyond you, chances are, the resulting x-rays aren't going to be optimal. Then not only will you face an irritated radiologist/surgeon, but you'll also have to explain to the patient why things went wrong. It's better to be honest from the start and let the radiologist know that you're unfamiliar with the procedure. Most radiologist will accomodate this and be more patient with you. Or they might ask you to seek the advice of a senior radiographer or in specific cases, ask you to hand the x-ray to a more knowledgable radiographer. If this happens, don't take it personally. Always remember that there are certain procedures/scans that can't easily be repeated and therefore, need an experienced radiographer. Simply express your interest to learn and take it from there.
Be Supportive of your Workplace.
It's common knowledge that employers appreciate it when you consistently turn up to work on time and maintain a degree of flexibility and reliability. However as we get more settled into the working environment, we tend to get a bit lazy. Be mindful that every member of a department contributes to the quality of that department. It's easy to maintain a pleasant department if everyone looks after each other and does little things, like making the effort to get each other to lunch on time. When we're too pre-occupied with our own problems and goals, it's easy to neglect our department. So if there are things that need to be done, don't hesitate and delay. Help get the jobs done. There's plenty of time for everyone to relax once all the jobs are taken care of. When you arrive at work, turn your attention not just to the needs of your patient but also that of your coworkers. It's a great way to make friends and establish a harmonious work place.
Finally, Cultivate some Inner Wisdom.
Wisdom is a fine balance between the extremes of "thinking you know everything" and "knowing when you're out of your depth". During your PDY year, you will swing from one extreme to the other until you find that middle ground and become confident in what you do and don't know. Avoid becoming over-reliant on others for direction or initiative, without falling into the other extreme of taking on procedures that are way beyond your experience. Because if things go wrong, it is the patient who will suffer the most. By maintaining mindfulness of the patient's needs, it will help guide you through your Professional Development Year.