Leaving your home country to practice medicine abroad is both exciting and nerve-wracking. For me, stepping off the plane and starting my first posting as a doctor in a foreign hospital felt like opening a new chapter of life—one filled with uncertainty, growth, and small victories. Looking back at my first 100 days, I realize how much I’ve learned, not just as a doctor, but also as a person. Here’s a look at the challenges I faced and the wins that kept me going.
The First Challenge: Adapting to a New Healthcare System
Every country has its own healthcare structure, rules, and workflow. On my very first day, I noticed differences in medical records, treatment protocols, and even how patients approached their doctors. What I had learned back home was useful, but it wasn’t enough.
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Electronic Medical Records (EMR): I had to quickly master a different EMR system. At first, the new interface slowed me down, but within weeks I became efficient, and now I can navigate it with ease.
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Treatment Protocols: Guidelines for common conditions, from chest pain to infections, varied slightly from what I was used to. Adjusting required continuous reading, asking questions, and learning from senior colleagues.
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Cultural Attitudes to Health: Patients’ expectations about doctors, medications, and communication were not the same as in my home country. This cultural difference taught me to be more patient and flexible in my approach.
Language Barriers: More Than Just Translation
One of the biggest hurdles was language. Medical knowledge doesn’t change, but how patients describe symptoms does. Words for “shortness of breath” or “chest tightness” might not translate directly, and sometimes patients used local slang I didn’t understand.
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I began by learning two to three new words every day. Simple phrases like “Are you in pain?” or “How long have you felt this?” built trust with patients.
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Sometimes I had to rely on body language, tone, or even family members to piece together the story. It wasn’t perfect, but over time my confidence grew.
Wins That Kept Me Motivated
Despite the obstacles, there were victories—some small, some big—that reminded me why I chose this path.
1. Building Patient Trust
The first time a patient thanked me in their language with a smile, I felt the effort was worth it. Earning that trust was a milestone and gave me confidence to keep learning.
2. Teamwork in Emergencies
Working in a busy emergency department abroad tested my decision-making. One night, a critical patient came in, and although communication with the team wasn’t always smooth, we stabilized the patient together. That teamwork moment showed me medicine transcends borders.
3. Personal Growth
The first 100 days weren’t just about medicine. I learned resilience, adaptability, and humility. I grew comfortable asking for help, admitting when I didn’t know something, and celebrating progress instead of perfection.
Lessons Learned in My First 100 Days
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Adapt Quickly: Being open to new protocols and systems makes the transition smoother.
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Learn the Language Slowly but Consistently: Even a few phrases a week make a difference.
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Celebrate Small Wins: Every thank-you, every successful procedure, every day you survive on call is progress.
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Balance Work and Life: Exploring the country outside the hospital helped me recharge and reminded me why I came abroad in the first place.
Final Thoughts
My first 100 days as a doctor abroad were filled with anxiety, mistakes, learning curves, and unforgettable wins. If you’re preparing to start your journey, know this: the challenges will test you, but the growth will be worth it. You’ll not only become a better doctor but also a stronger, more adaptable human being.
Working abroad is not just about practicing medicine—it’s about discovering who you are when placed outside your comfort zone. And in that sense, my first 100 days were just the beginning of an incredible journey.
1 comment
Thanks