My first 9 months as a doctor

Here are my intern video diaries from June first until last week. It’s definitely been a year

[@Neverwalkeralone]

I feel so hard the whiplash of going from being a med student who vows never to be that resident who ignores med students to being the overworked intern with the attitude of "if the med students don't take away from my workload, they can just get out of my way". Eventually, you find the balance, mostly from actually getting efficient with your work and also having lower levels to do some of these things for you.

[@marthanot85]

If at any point you weren’t sure about sharing your mental health experience and then said to yourself “if this helps just one person it’ll be worth it” consider this an accomplishment because it did! Thank you.

[@michaelegotti6439]

we're proud of you Dr. presro

[@kp74952]

"Interview skills of a lobotomized rat" 😆I cannot

[@rainofsunshine473]

thank you for recording these ♥️

[@itspresro]

Thank you for being here 😊

[@jacktietjen]

So honest insightful and relatable. This is some good shit tbh love to see the authenticity and utter lack of neuroticism and ego that sometimes pervades medicine. Super encouraging wow

[@PepsiT98]

"My dad said we need to ___" 🤣🤣 thanks for being vulnerable with us Preston. I am starting my intern yr in mid-June so pls wish me luck😅

[@varekai88]

Hey Preston, med Resident from Aus here. This came at such a great time for me. I've just started seeing my GP, a psychologist, and antidepr about a week ago. I have been struggling with likely burnout/ depression for months. I love that you're being so open about this topic. This mental health phenomenon is truly pervasive in the medical profession and doesn't get talked about enough. Thank you so much

[@Rsamuel104]

Had to get off tiktok for my own mental health, so thanks for posting here! This is so awesome, wish I had done this for myself throughout intern year. It’s crazy how relatable this is and how I remember feeling the exact same way a lot of the time as an intern, even after a few years. Feeling incompetent as an intern is definitely not awesome, but thank you for sharing the rollercoaster that is intern year. I think this does a lot of good in helping others feel like they’re not alone and validates their feelings too. Your videos are great, wish you the best with your journey in medicine!

[@bell10877]

You are really articulate! And sometimes really poetic ! Younhave alot to offer in teaching and writing too. Communication is a huge talent you have! I think the soberness you start to describe by day 5 is not bad sign. It is like the maturing we face after the butterflies of the first stage of love. But then we really start to have to love and commit and show up more deeply and reveal our shadows and really be authentically intimate. It's humbling and its healing and scary in a sufferent way because we realise we still are learning and dint know much. . Same in work.. we start to realise we are actually responsible and we have an effect on others, in your case it is a massive responsibility that has the potential to have a massive positive impact ( or terrible and the while range between)on patients and all our colleagues. You can have a really wonderful, wise and kind effect- If you keep on learning and staying open and humble and have great role models you see as brilliant psychiatrists. That is WORTH IT.

[@MJB073]

“Since I was a kid, I’ve been able to sleep through anything - storms, sirens, you name it. Last night, I didn’t sleep.” -Preston and JD

[@clairbear1234]

Thank you for not yelling at them for getting the wrong number. As a nurse, thank you 🙏

[@StellateReticulum]

Dental student here. Please get a nightguard from your general dentist or better yet get one from a prosthodontist. You'd be surprised how much better your sleep will be! (I grind my teeth at night like crazy too) your content is fantastic and I love the kitty too. from my limited understanding, depression is when there is deficiency in the competitive arenas in life (Friendship, romance, business) or a downturn in your physical health. I hope you're feeling better soon. The medical field is a shitshow and you're doing amazing. You deserve a life of good adventures with people who you care about and care about you.

[@grafkirk]

MS1 here. I totally love this, your videos are like anything else. This compilation is a great reminder of the big picture and how much things can change.

[@bell10877]

This is great. And I love the very human diary style. And the cat ❤😊🥰Thanks.

[@althomas8672]

Retired internist here. Your recapitulation of your first year was so much like mine, my palms started sweating, I became tachycardic and started hyperventilating. Good luck and I hope it gets better!

[@ada5851]

Ah cats, a healthcare worker's best friend. What would we do without them?

[@bell10877]

Yes, the cat makes it so relatable.

[@bell10877]

I'm sure this must be really helpful for other residents .

[@l3agel]

Dogs

[@ada5851]

@@l3agel I would love to have a dog too but I don't think my lifestyle is compatible with the time investment a dog requires.

[@Sgtcrispytoast]

Hey I'm starting medical school this year and while your sketch videos were hilarious I also love these lifestyle/vlog videos of yours. Very relatable and cool to see what I have to look forward to. Go kick ass!

[@patrickwillingham8153]

Sharing this with others in my CRNA program, we just hit 10 months into the program and clinicals have crushed some of us. Thank you for your insight, transparency, and unique perspective!

[@kyu1711]

As a MS4 about to start my psych residency, thanks for this. Your shorts feel like such a fresh and real look into what life as an intern is really going to be like. Your shorts were hilarious before, but I also love these glimpses into your life. Eager to see what's next for Dr. Presro!

[@Auric-BraiNerd]

Oof I could feel your pain when you panned down to the Lexapro shirt. It gets better! This video is so important!

[@theotherredmeat]

Ah, this brings me back. I didn't realize how bad the potent combination of social anxiety disorder and my medical school experience was until my first patient presentation as a resident. My attending had to stop me and say, "Hey. Breathe. Slow down. It's ok." Transitioning from medical school to residency, where I could actually take ownership of my patients and I had a voice that mattered, was extremely empowering and was an awesome transition. Residency is damn hard work but it was still a great 3 years. Enjoy it. Fuck, I sound old.

[@coriderlukeyboy72]

“I have the interviewing skills of a lobotomized rat” made me laugh lol that’s golden i’m an incoming MS1 and love your insightful videos. appreciate your honesty about how you feel about what you do. it’s so sobering. you’re a truly one of a kind medfluencer (if you don’t mind being called that). I also think the fact that you are so actively mindful about your experience fits so well with why you’re in psych. kinda interesting. I feel like when I’m feeling stressed about a life event I just think “this sucks i’ll get through it.” I don’t think I’m as mindful/introspective as you. bravo sir

[@MatthewOrap-nz4mk]

Saving this to watch again when I go through intern year. You can do this! You’re an inspiration to us all😊

[@Nezuxen]

Right now I'm a post-graduate and in our country the first year is like a transitional stage between being a med student and a real resident. Just wanted you to know that watching this video just when the thoughts of wondering if I'm good enough started to kick in really helped a lot. It just gave me that feeling that I'm not alone there. Thank you so much.

[@rpl4999]

Very raw emotions under tough circumstances. You handle the pressure well and you have an amazing level of introspection. It gets better, and you're doing an amazing job. Keep it up.

[@MaxFeinsteinMD]

I really appreciated this video and your insights along the way. Well done.

[@Auric-BraiNerd]

Another home run! This resonated with me so many times. Having interns is a beautiful -and sure a bit scary- thing but then tou learn to lean on eachother and learn from them and share what you know and they will be lucky to have you because you know the highs and lows of what they're experiencing. You'll be great. Youre like those plants, beaten up a bit but you'll be back to flourishing more and more each day. There will come some steps back but then many more forward. Incremental progress.

[@neenasinghal2308]

Thank you for sharing !! It really helps to have an honest take & to mentally prepare for residency

[@marisap09]

I love your analogies. They really help to encapsulate your experience and other universal experiences as you go through this journey. Glad you are doing better after going through a rough period of time. So much of this is due to a dysfunctional system. I second the suggestions for getting a night guard from a dentist to help with your teeth grinding! And just a quick tip from someone who experienced agonizing antidepressant withdrawal in the past: if and when you decide to taper off your antidepressant, follow a hyperbolic taper at about 10% dose reductions per month (lots of studies corroborate this after years of patient experience coming out).

[@katehoffman2139]

Thank you for TALKING ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS TO BE AN INTERN!! and for sharing about your own struggles, you are saving more lives than you know ❤️ from a current intern!

[@el.dave8]

Hey, so this is from a second year (and soon to be attending) family med resident in Canada. I will just say, I love your videos and you are a very smart and articulate dude. Your humor was actually immensely helpful when I was in first year residency and just always put a smile on my face. As some small sprinkles of wisdom, it does get better. You will get better and the job itself will get easier, but the damn system pressures build up and they build up fast. As some small sprinkles of wisdom, it does get better. You will get better and the job itself will get easier, but the damn system pressures build up and they build up fast. It becomes immensely frustrating trying to navigate the convoluted system sometimes (and yes even in Canada too) and obviously this is from a primary care person who feels like the neglected side-chick in the medical field. You've done greatly, keep it upppppp P.S I started on psych and my first ER call, my patient actively started having a panic attack whilst I was interviewing them (obviously with mad skyllz) and it required a very nice nurse to take pity on me and give me a smol ativan, which was probably the first thing that I ever really ordered in that hospital lol. Psych was a fever dream and was a hell of a way to arrive into residency lol

[@megancooper6130]

I graduate this June and start my first year in family med. Thank you for these videos, it’s like looking through a crystal ball at my future.

[@paranormal_potato]

as an incoming psych intern in NC - I greatly appreciate your transparency. we don’t talk about burnout enough and it’s so easy to neglect our own needs, even as mental health providers. looking forward to following your journey into PGY2!

[@user-nk6sl5fq5j]

Thank you for sharing all this and putting them all together! About to start intern year

[@jeriann4709]

The way you think and view medicine, burnout, and your intern year is fascinating, and your blend of hobbies outside of medicine are very relatable. Incoming MS4 and i really appreciate your authenticity and forthcoming insights :’) I feel less alone and less afraid

[@nijataliyev9372]

I am finishing up IM residency and your reflections on your medicine rotation gave me a couple chuckles haha. Great content

[@mattlawler7341]

This is so good, very inspiring to watch as an M2 about to take step 1

[@ItWillRainXO]

Thank you so so much for sharing this, truly.

[@ethanbarksdale7524]

I am an MS1 and these videos are more helpful than you know! thanks so much

[@NO-qu1uk]

You've heard of the five stages of grief - Here comes the 14 stages of being an intern

[@scotttracey9371]

Thanks for doing that job. Its tough when these decisions effect people's lives. Hang in there, the research is getting better, the testing is getting better, it will be easier to help others with accuracy,

[@ethanyang4771]

Greetings from Singapore. You have done a great job! I love your content and views.

[@itspresro]

I love your country! Some of my favorite food EVER was at the newton hawkers!

[@itspresro]

And also thank you for your kind words 😊

[@kelseytitzman5942]

You're gonna make me cry just like Scrubs did. You get it. Thanks for sharing! We've got this. -FM PGY2

[@MsDingojack]

Get into pour over coffee Preston - it’s a superb rabbit hole Best of luck with the latte art!

[@Corihor]

Love the compilation. So relatable. Wish I’d started an antidepressant. Probably would have made residency a jog instead of a slog through wet sand

[@thebeatles9]

Ive worked in psych for years before going the med route. I'm hoping my first day of residency I'll feel somewhat comfortable back in the wards.

[@mjackstewart]

I feel for ya’, brøther! I call my “valley of suck” Jack’s “garden of doom.” I know you’re going to do great!

[@danielvmay]

so this video is amazingly useful and thanks and subscribed and all that jazz and gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down

[@five2one]

oh my god, the number of times you mentioned the EMR had me crying. The click tabs. "I have ordered Miralax before and I will order it again." LOL Which was the first EMR you were introduced to?

[@janetesan1055]

I dont have the exact same experience because we are doctors in different countries But... Yup the first 3 months are ridiculous, the high of being a doctor fades within the shortest period, i was excited for all of 3 days 🙃 The first year (few years) of being a doctor is feeling dumber and dumber everyday till one day you accept that you cant possibly know everything and you become okay with that

[@arspsychologia4401]

In your experience, what are must-have personality traits for a medical practitioner's pet? Kitty is cute :)

[@zuza741]

thank you for sharing!

[@soggychip6302]

Magggy's so cute

[@mustafabalsever4415]

Yo, this is an experience, i am halfway through and i am overwhelmed, i dont know where the spot is but this is hitting it bad i m about to make some life choices for real

[@aidancurran4399]

This a scary but informative insight for what might be in-store. Thank you for not being afrian to be vulnerable with strangers on the Internet lol

[@RedPepperyElk]

OK 3 things: 1)The "dad" part 🤣 ... this is med school/residency in a nut shell. As funny as that is though don't be afraid to share your thoughts - it really sucks when your staff is not receptive and yes they have the final say but even then you can and should still share your thoughts (then at least the moral injury isn't as heavy). With "tough" staff I would often play the "naive" card so they can feel like they have the upper hand/hopefully listen - e.g. "wait before I put in that order can you explain x/I think i misunderstood x/I think I've been doing this wrong, I always thought that when x happens that means the patient needs surgery/this med/etc." 2)That was awesome - especially you being vulnerable enough to share part of your story - I'm sure your positive influence is going to help many people (in an interesting way your KZbin channel will probably help more people than possible as a physician) 3)Your flat tire analogy - spot on 👍. As someone in the mecial field who ironically enough does not like medications, and spent periods of time growing up and especially in medical school and residency suffering from untreated anxiety and depression you are a huge example of being humble enough to reach out for help. I was silly enough to worry about the reprocussions of seeking help and the impact it would have on my ability to progress in the medical field that I almost let it take my life. We are getting better in the world and in medicine at destigmatizing mental health and you are helping fight that fight. I spent so much time rationalizing and avoiding treatment that this just led to feeling more trapped. It was so silly but I wasted a lot of mental effort with the pointless argument that "I am fine its my work that is making me ill" and even convinced myself a few times I needed to quit med school, and as a staff - leave medicine. Although as a society we have created situations that contribute to worse mental health, and should fight for positive change, we can't wait for these things to be taken away, fixed, or changed when we are ill. Regardless of what genetics, past experiences, current relationship/career/financial or whatever struggles are at play - simply put when you are mentally ill - you are ill - your brain does not work right and you need help. Exercise, hobbies, sunlight, time with family/friends, therapy - all of these things helped and got me out a few times but I am one of those people who needed medication at my lowest point. I truly was finally able to be myself once I started medications. I've gone off them a few times and back on but at the end of the day they have helped immensely. I felt so trapped when I was in medical training and as a staff and you should feel nothing but proud of yourself for taking care of this early in your career. I truly love my life and my work and I am happy. I am fortunate enough to be able to look back and see how distorted I had let my outlook on my situation become from untreated mental health and what I was willing to lose. Your life is invaluable, you are infintely more important than any labels you or others have put on you. Live your life, get help if you need it, and don't be silly like me and make your life unnecessarily more difficult by waiting to get help.

[@adam_is]

The 'Valley of Suck' is such a real thing!

[@zacharytavallaee5916]

This is the content I like

[@JBarnett510]

You rule man 🤘

[@yellowpop406]

Yay! Thank youuuu

[@ayeshasalah6079]

Maggie is so pretty

[@creightonjohn9463]

I don't want the video to end and I'm only 6 minutes in!

[@carsonbrooks2102]

Hi Rich, hope you like the video

[@jessetonkinson9964]

I appreciate you -MS4 who just matched 🎉

[@scottanderson4751]

How come you do stints with different specialties when you’re a psych resident? Is this what all first year residents do regardless of specialty?

[@itspresro]

We spend about 6months on off service rotations our first year of psychiatry residency

[@MDoty413]

Yooo I was in bed watching scrubs wondering the same thing haha

[@emilybelle2083]

I've train US students and making them learn how to navigate the EMR was part of it. Even if they ultimately worked with some other program in their career they would at least know this one. Are residents really letting med students skip this because it's "boring"?

[@user-lv3uy1tw9k]

❤❤❤

[@suppressiontest6372]

Hey! This guy is literally me

[@plastictouch6796]

"I provide value" you forgot to say "to shareholders" at the end.

[@affin1176]

How do you grow your mustache in just 1 day and the next day you already got thicker mustache

[@user-bx7ek5dl5h]

I didn’t get to pick

[@morganclonce]

07:00 I’m a dumb artist, and from my limited experience with your content I’m well aware you’re not one for the redundant platitudes- but: “the grand mountain in the distance is just the ground underneath your feet when you’re standing on it”

[@dixon1850]

never trust how you feel about recidency during intern year, never trust how you feel about anything after being on call

[@MeditationwithHolly]

13:57 🤣 If it doesn't work out at some point, be a voice actor hahaha

[@MasterAlonzo]

Marry me Preston ❤

[@enacte]

Nothing too hard for this FI.

[@itspresro]

Now a March intern!

[@apeman939]

As an incoming psych intern this really quelled pretty much every fear I’ve had about residency. May not have been the intent but it really made me breathe easier

[@czechmeoutbabe1997]

This was actually incredibly interesting, thank you so much for sharing your journey

[@Toogaytoofunction]

Marry me 😊