I’m a new-ish 3rd year clerk who just got back some of my gen surg & surgery subspecialty evals, and I’m really confused/irritated. I’m generally a hardworking student. I arrive early; I know the patients well; I bring extra supplies (scissors, marking pens, tensors), and I always help out with the pt transfers/prep in the OR. My gen surg resident told me that I’ve been somebody she could always rely on since day one, and that whenever she told me anything once, she could pretty much consider it done. In fact, she said I’m one of the best students she’s ever worked with. My subspecialty resident also said I can always anticipate what he needs help with and that I’m better than a lot of upper years who’ve come through. The problem is attendings. Generally I don’t see them very much, and for some reason, they tend to have the impression that I’m “timid” or “shy”. My evaluations are peppered with suggestions to become more “outgoing” or “confident”. The problem is that I don’t really know what that means. I mean, I was pretty good with communicating to patients. When I talked to attending, I just answered any questions when asked. If I don’t know the answer, I just say I don’t know/haven’t heard of the condition but I can look into it. In the OR (where I saw them most of the time), I just retracted/did whatever they told me. It’s not like they really talked to me much. Most of the time, they were directing the conversations at the nurses and residents anyway. My gen surg resident made a comment how I was bad at showing attendings what a good student I could be, and “oh you know what it’s like in 3rd/4th year, it’s like a show or audition”. I’m a young-looking Asian female, and I naturally have a soft voice, does that mean I naturally come across as more timid by stereotype?
I’m worried because I’m noticing that some of my classmates are getting more positive reviews, and this whole thing will become a problem when it comes to reference letters/applying to programs. Is there something specific I could do? Like I said, attendings don't pay us that much attention or talk to us that much, is there a way to make conversation with them without seeming annoying then?
I’m worried because I’m noticing that some of my classmates are getting more positive reviews, and this whole thing will become a problem when it comes to reference letters/applying to programs. Is there something specific I could do? Like I said, attendings don't pay us that much attention or talk to us that much, is there a way to make conversation with them without seeming annoying then?