How to Deal with Toxic Seniors During Housemanship: A True Story from UCTH Calabar
Disclaimer:
To protect the privacy and dignity of those involved, names and identifying details have been changed. While the events are true, any resemblance to real individuals is purely coincidental.
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Day One – The Reality Check
I resumed my housemanship in the Internal Medicine department of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) with so much excitement. My shirt was crisp. My stethoscope curled confidently around my neck. I had watched enough House MD to feel ready for anything.
That confidence dissolved in less than 24 hours.
On my second ward round, I met Dr. Martins, a Senior Registrar. He had a quiet voice, but every word felt like a test I was destined to fail. He glanced at my clerking, looked up coldly and said:
“You’re a house officer? This handwriting looks like it was done by someone in secondary school.”
My heart sank.
As the days passed, it became routine. My efforts were constantly criticized—often in front of medical students, patients, and the entire team. If I greeted quietly, I was “not bold enough.” If I explained myself, I was “talking back.”
