Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overview

Most problems junior doctors face in the NHS are not due to lack of knowledge.
They come from predictable behavioural and system mistakes.

The good news: once you are aware of them, they are easy to avoid.

This page is about protecting your confidence, reputation, and career.

1. Not Escalating Early Enough

This is the most dangerous mistake.

New doctors often think:

  • “I should manage this myself”
  • “I don’t want to look incompetent”
  • “I don’t want to bother the registrar”

In reality:

Seniors worry more about doctors who don’t escalate.

Escalation is professionalism, not weakness.

2. Trying to Impress Instead of Being Safe

You are not expected to be impressive.
You are expected to be safe, honest, and reliable.

Saying:

  • “I’m not sure, can we review together?”
  • “I’d like senior input on this”

Builds more trust than pretending confidence you don’t have.

3. Poor Documentation

Examples of risky habits:

  • Not documenting senior advice
  • Writing vague plans
  • Forgetting to sign entries
  • Leaving gaps in the timeline

Your notes are part of patient care and your protection.

If it’s not written down, it effectively didn’t happen.

4. Avoiding Feedback

Some doctors fear feedback because it feels like criticism.

But in the NHS:

  • Feedback protects you
  • Feedback improves your portfolio
  • Feedback strengthens training applications
  • Feedback shows professionalism

Doctors who actively seek feedback progress faster.

5. Being Passive About Your Learning

Service jobs can easily swallow your growth if you let them.

Common passive patterns:

  • Never requesting supervised assessments
  • Never asking to do procedures
  • Never requesting teaching
  • Never discussing career goals

No one will manage your career except you.

6. Comparing Your Journey to Others

Some colleagues will:

  • Pass exams quickly
  • Get training numbers early
  • Seem more confident
  • Have stronger CVs

Comparing timelines creates unnecessary pressure and self-doubt.

Progress in medicine is rarely linear.

7. Not Asking for Help When Struggling

Struggling silently is unsafe and emotionally exhausting.

Safe alternatives:

  • Speak to your registrar
  • Speak to your supervisor
  • Speak to a trusted consultant
  • Speak to occupational health if needed

Support exists, but only if you reach out.

8. Burning Out Quietly

Early signs often ignored:

  • Constant exhaustion
  • Cynicism
  • Emotional numbness
  • Dreading every shift
  • Losing motivation

Burnout is not weakness.
Ignoring it is what causes harm.

Reality Check

Every doctor makes mistakes.
What defines strong doctors is not perfection — it is:

  • Insight
  • Accountability
  • Willingness to improve
  • Willingness to ask for help

That is what builds long-term respect.

Reassurance

You do not need to be flawless.
You need to be reflective, safe, and developing.

If you are reading this and trying to improve, you are already ahead of many.