Surviving on calls Post date: 01/04/2015 | Time to read article: 1 mins The information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 18/05/2020 Communication Competence Generic Medicine Managing clinical risk New Doctor Professionalism Show More Top ten tips to survive those dreaded on calls Don’t rush – Work steadily and prioritise appropriately. You’ll get faster. List the tasks that you were given – Mark them off when they have been completed. Including times is helpful. Stand your ground – Get a CT or an x-ray if it’s needed. Show gratitude – It’s better to have the colleagues onside than against you. Keep calm and carry on – This will help you tackle any challenge that comes your way, even when the bleep goes off incessantly. Smile – If you’re happy to be there so will your team Ask questions – Don’t be afraid to ask, ask, ASK! Take breaks – remove yourself for short bursts and you’ll become more efficient and perhaps less grumpy?! Eat – Make sure you’ve got hidden supplies for those moments when it dawns on you that everything is closed. Create an on-call bag – With your Oxford Handbook, a jumper and snacks for your walks around the ward. Download a PDF of this edition PDF « A day in the life of a medical student in theatre From ward to world: Dr Andrew Murray » Share this article Share Tweet