blog.amandaxi.comAmanda S. Xi, MD - Personal Blog

for: Home About Me FAQs Medical Student Resources Specialty Series Residency YouTube Books that changed me New YouTube video: my 4AM morning routine March 29, 2024 March 28, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : [I just wanted to point out that this video went live at 4am ?] I start most of my mornings at ~4am. I find that this is the best way for me to start the day to be productive and overall for my well-being. I think for a while I was in denial about being a morning person, but once I became an anesthesiologist, it became clear that my days were just *so much better* when I started them early. My 4am morning routine looks like this: Read more → youtube New YouTube video: 3 reasons I stayed in academia March 26, 2024 March 26, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : When I started residency, I fully intended on joining a private practice group. But my residency and fellowship @mghanesthesia ended up changing my trajectory. Here are some reasons I stayed in academia: Read more → attending life , youtube How to study for the CCEeXAM – resources and other advice March 23, 2024 March 23, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day: Here’s proof that I actually did this thing! It is no secret that ultrasound is a powerful tool for the anesthesiologist and intensivist. During residency, we achieve competence in using ultrasound for vascular access, regional anesthesia, and basic cardiac examination [both transesophageal and transthoracic]. When I was a resident, there were times when it was really challenging to get an ultrasound, which translated into feeling like my own skill was mediocre. Fellowship in critical care anesthesiology certainly helped me build upon my skill and clinical application of ultrasound has continued to advance my knowledge. During my critical care fellowship, I opted to take the CCEeXAM ® Examination of Special Competence in Critical Care Echocardiography . Mostly because someone else was paying for the certification and I thought that it could be a useful certification to possess. At the time, the exam had only been administered a few times; there were limited resources to study from and very sparse information on the internet on how to structure my studying or where to focus my attention. Luckily, if you’re looking to make this ~$1,000+ [probably more like ~$2000-$3000 after you include the study resources below] investment in your clinical practice, I have some advice from my own experience and a recent test-taker’s experience to help guide your study plan. Read more → Uncategorized You were insufferable January 10, 2024 January 10, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day: Another gem from my London trip. Since this post is a reflection of my evolution over the years, I thought it appropriate to distill my essence through this image. These delightful treats brought me so much joy [as did the company I was with]; ultimately, this is the energy I hope I can consistently give. I was recently reflecting on who I was during internship, residency, and fellowship. You might be wondering, What does that even mean?” There was a period in my life where I staunchly believed that people do not change. You are fundamentally who you are. There then came an era where I was less sure of this assertion. I started to waver in my belief as I watched my parents evolve. I noticed that my friends showed up in different ways over the years and during life events. I reflected on my own journey and who I was. I wondered if, maybe , people could change. I’ve now come back full circle in my belief that people have a fundamental foundation… but the way that it is presented and shows up changes with the situation. Read more → attending life Every moment of the day need *not* be productive January 8, 2024 January 8, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : Another gem from my one-day adventure out to Western MA – I finally got to explore The Clark . The impressionist room is breathtaking and if it weren’t for rain, I would have probably spent hours exploring the grounds. I spent the majority of my life feeling the pressure to hustle.” That productivity was equated with my worth. If I wasn’t productive, then what purpose do I serve? Read more → attending life Setting 2024 intentions: listening, curiosity, being healthy-ish, creativity, and anxiety spirals January 1, 2024 January 1, 2024 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : Posing in a thoughtful manner during my fall trip to London. Last week, I reflected on 2023. As sort-of-promised, I decided to set some 2024 intentions. I think that every single day is a new opportunity to set and achieve goals; I don’t think we need a designated time of the year to do these things. I have short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term goals that I set and review on a semi-regular basis. But the idea of intentions feels like the right approach for 2024; they are touchy-feely types of ideas that I’d like to work toward in the new year. There is no checkbox for these items… they are lofty ideals that I hope I can remind myself to embody throughout the year. Maybe my 2024 reflections post will be assessing how these intentions came into play [or didn’t!]. Who knows. Maybe there will be silence on the blog for almost a year again [let’s hope not]. Read more → Uncategorized Reflections from 2023: my greatest achievement, travel, work boundaries and modern dating December 26, 2023 December 26, 2023 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : When a beautiful fall weekend presented itself, I went on a roadtrip to Western Massachusetts. All the leaves had already fallen, but it was a beautiful hike nonetheless. I keep telling myself I will get back into blogging regularly but the words don’t flow the way they used to. The further along in my career I get [and the older I get], the more it seems risky” to pour my heart and soul out to the internet. Yet, it feels like there is a part of me I am not honoring by being silent. There is also something to be said about the loss of connection to those of you still reading my updates with anticipation and excitement [I appreciate you – I know you’re out there and support my writing endeavors]. This is by no means a declaration of more consistent writing in 2024, but a reflection that this space is an important one that I want to integrate into my life in a more consistent manner again. A couple years ago in an effort to reflect upon a relationship ending, I started journaling on a regular basis. I’ve actually kept a journal/blog for most of my life, but consistency was never my strong suit. Or perhaps I should say frequency was never my strong suit since I consistently went back to it. Either way, a couple years ago, I picked up journaling and it stuck. As a result, I have my own written words/emotions/thoughts/feelings to reflect upon on an annual basis. As we near the end of 2023, I figured I’d share some the reflections I had from 2023. Read more → reflection I failed my test/exam/boards… now what? [practical advice for next steps] October 2, 2023 October 2, 2023 Amanda Xi Today’s inane image of the day : Foliage from last year when I was in a wedding and decided to go on a solo hike. I do not recommend doing this after it has rained, the trail is slippery, you have zero phone service, and no one else was in the parking lot. If you’ve stumbled across this entry, it is likely that either you or someone that you care deeply about has failed some sort of examination. It may be a low-stakes or a high-stakes one. It may be in the setting of a course, or it may be in the setting of a medical board examination. Either way, there is something so disarming about failing an exam. It really cuts deep. I am going to make the generalization that most people who are seeking advice after failing an exam are those who typically haven’t encountered this challenge before. Either way, you are here and seeking advice on how to move...