Thread: Tell me about the good times (#residency)
1/Obviously, so many threads about the tough times in training. Neg experiences, disrespect, fatigue, depression. I began to wonder if I had imagined having a great residency experience. How could mine have been so different?

2/I wouldn't put it past me to have amnesia about the whole thing. So I texted some of my co-residents? Was I seeing things thru rose-colored goggles? Nope-they all said "Great time and Hard Work." Which is what I recall. With so many new interns preparing to start....

3/ Can you share with me some of the good times you remember? Because we surely don't want them all to start a new experience expecting doom and gloom. #MedTwitter #Twitternist #ProudToBeGIM #TipsForNewDocs

I really have enjoyed going thru the replies. Despite no hours restriction, why did I have a good time? I was trying to put together a list of reasons...other than a great PD and co-residents, I think influential factors were: (1/n)

❇️small program
❇️admits were geographic. Teams stayed together in an area and we all saw one another a lot=camaraderie
❇️then, few “non traditional students.” Few had families. We were younger on avg and were ok spending off time w each other
(2/n)

❇️same attending w us for a month. Stronger bonds. But they also were way more hands off. Residents were the decision makers
❇️no middleman/Med Capt 4 admits. We talked straight to ED/private docs. Again, decision makers
❇️No EHR. When we were out of hospital, we were free (3/n)

❇️no cell phones, lol. Yes, I’m old. No texts, we had to pick up phone and call everyone: co-residents, consults, attendings. —> relationships

Any other thoughts? I realize most of these cannot be “brought back.” Makes me kind of sad. (End)

I have to add that we didn’t start at the level of stress baseline that exists today. Competition to get into college then Med school. Financial burden. We had it better.