Likability factor on the wards

[SphereGlobe]

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Looking back at my reviews third year, it seems my likability had a large impact on my happiness and the team's opinion of me aside from my physical exam, history and presentation skills. On some rotations, when I was well liked by the team, everything went along smoothly and I had a great time and got great reviews. On other rotations, when I was less "liked" for whatever reason, I was never happy and nothing I did on the technical side (writing good notes, being proactive and helpful etc) could make up for it in my reviews.

What are things that people do that make them likable to the team? Any specific stories, personal characteristics or traits that you think stand out (or are especially noticed when absent?)

 

[ACSurgeon]

Looking back at my reviews third year, it seems my likability had a large impact on my happiness and the team's opinion of me aside from my physical exam, history and presentation skills. On some rotations, when I was well liked by the team, everything went along smoothly and I had a great time and got great reviews. On other rotations, when I was less "liked" for whatever reason, I was never happy and nothing I did on the technical side (writing good notes, being proactive and helpful etc) could make up for it in my reviews.

What are things that people do that make them likable to the team? Any specific stories, personal characteristics or traits that you think stand out (or are especially noticed when absent?)

- being normal helps
- having a good attitude and showing interest
- try to be helpful
- personal chemistry with team
- luck (personality of your seniors and what they like and don't like).

Overall, it's an unfair crapshoot.

 

[InvestingDoc]

The biggest factor that I think will help you get a good grade is to have expectations spelled out at the start of the rotation. Ask the team to do some kind of orientation and what is expected. It takes the guessing out and helps you ensure that you meet their expectations.

Beyond that, I usually give excellent grades to those who take some initiative and shows interest.
-having a good attitude goes a long way
-be on time
-be helpful but don't throw others under the bus
-ask questions as if you're interested. Even if you are going into surgery you can be interested in diabetes management, non surgical management of back pain, and prevention of DVT.

 

[Anicetus]

Honestly, most things in medical school rely on some luck.

First and second year you can alter and raise your chances of success by studying a ****ton more than your peers but due to luck of what is asked on exams and luck of being born with good memory capabilities honors may not be guaranteed.

Third year, luck of the draw of your personality, and how the residents like you. This is if you are at a school where the Evals matter a whole lot. If you realize you just aren't clicking, then don't be forceful, be normal and "there" which is better than being annoying.

 

[Crayola227]

I have a saying, when you go to open your mouth, and one of two things can come out of it, and one will make you seem smarter, but one will make you more likeable, go with likeable every single time. Sometimes that means playing dumb so someone else can feel good teaching you. Sometimes that means backing down and being mousy.

lololol because the way I am here is like the opposite of how I was in med school
I had like split personality disorder from my actual nature vs the persona I had in med school

people seem to think my title "Boot Licker" is some weird sexual fetish, it's not. It is a reminder to me of what my job is at the bottom of the totem pole.

and in fact, being assertive in intern year (I was a bit more invested in my patients being the one writing the orders) got me in the most trouble

it's OK to answer questions, if asked for an opinion on management to speak up, but on the whole total humility gets you way further than confidence which can be taken wrong

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

I had like split personality disorder from my actual nature vs the persona I had in med school

I'm the same way. The way I act on rotations is not the whole me, just one part. I tone down pretty much everything just to appear more professional.

It really hurts being someone who cracks jokes a lot around friends. There are some real softballs in the OR.

 

[sliceofbread136]

My bs small talk skills improved immensely during third year. Ask people about themselves, throw a few jokes here and there, offer to help do random crap.

Only rotation this didn't work well on was surgery. I swear to god every surgeon has to CONSTANTLY whine about whatever random crap pops into their heads, in general impossible people to get along with.

 

[Tenk]

My favorite students are the ones who try hard, listen, look somewhat engaged, don't ask questions you can google, come up with some sort of plan (even if it sucks), and have a good sense of humor. If you can make me laugh, I will probably like you and you are right this will 100% influence my evaluation of you (whether that is right or wrong... probably wrong). Every specialty has its own "typical" personality though and you won't fit in with everyone.

 

[QofQuimica]

Honestly, along with knowing your own patients well, the best thing a student can do is to try to be helpful to the team. Pay attention to what work needs to get done by your residents, and try to jump on whatever things you can do to help them without them having to tell you.

 

[psychhopefull2016]

The biggest lie I've ever told in my whole life was "It was great working with you" when I left surgery rotation. I hated the rotation and I could not stand my super frat-boy "let's make fun of the patient when she is under" crap of a team. But I smiled, every day. Laugh at the jokes. Fake it till you make it. It sucks. But a lot of the time the grading is arbitrary and I absolutely get better grades when I vibe with a team. As long as the worse grades are still ok without overt negative MSPE comments it will be fine

 

[Merely]

My favorite students are the ones who try hard, listen, look somewhat engaged, don't ask questions you can google, come up with some sort of plan (even if it sucks), and have a good sense of humor. If you can make me laugh, I will probably like you and you are right this will 100% influence my evaluation of you (whether that is right or wrong... probably wrong). Every specialty has its own "typical" personality though and you won't fit in with everyone.

Make you laugh? Damn, M3s really are dancing clowns there for your entertainment aren't they...

 

[Tenk]

Make you laugh? Damn, M3s really are dancing clowns there for your entertainment aren't they...

I don't hold a revolver to their feet and tell them to dance (although I know it feels that way). I just meant they say something funny (like a joke) and it makes me laugh is all.

 

[NWwildcat2013]

I don't hold a revolver to their feet and tell them to dance (although I know it feels that way). I just meant they say something funny (like a joke) and it makes me laugh is all.

So...part of your evaluation of students which effects them in a big way isn't just their sense of humor but whether their sense of humor happens to match yours? Talk about luck. IMO this should in no way ever elevate one competent student above another.


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[Psai]

A lot of people pick their doctors by who they like. No one really cares about competence unless they're getting surgery or something.

 

[sliceofbread136]

My favorite students are the ones who try hard, listen, look somewhat engaged, don't ask questions you can google, come up with some sort of plan (even if it sucks), and have a good sense of humor. If you can make me laugh, I will probably like you and you are right this will 100% influence my evaluation of you (whether that is right or wrong... probably wrong). Every specialty has its own "typical" personality though and you won't fit in with everyone.

An excellent summary of the BS fest that is 3rd year!

 

[scootad.]

A lot of people pick their doctors by who they like. No one really cares about competence unless they're getting surgery or something.

Agreed. Most times, the public assumes competence of all doctors/providers. To their detriment unfortunately.

The truth is, unless they are doctors themselves, how could they possibly know if their provider is competent? Its like going to a dentist, auto mechanic or plumber. Unless you have that specific skill set yourself, how could you know if you are being ripped off or if you really need that filter changed, wisdom tooth extracted, dental x ray, etc.?

 

[Amygdarya]

I have a saying, when you go to open your mouth, and one of two things can come out of it, and one will make you seem smarter, but one will make you more likeable, go with likeable every single time. Sometimes that means playing dumb so someone else can feel good teaching you. Sometimes that means backing down and being mousy.

lololol because the way I am here is like the opposite of how I was in med school
I had like split personality disorder from my actual nature vs the persona I had in med school

people seem to think my title "Boot Licker" is some weird sexual fetish, it's not. It is a reminder to me of what my job is at the bottom of the totem pole.

and in fact, being assertive in intern year (I was a bit more invested in my patients being the one writing the orders) got me in the most trouble

it's OK to answer questions, if asked for an opinion on management to speak up, but on the whole total humility gets you way further than confidence which can be taken wrong

While I agree with your post in general, it's important to remember that there are exceptions to pretty much any rule. Some attendings actually strongly prefer confident outgoing students. Bottom line is, play it by ear, so to speak, gauge what kind of people your residents/attendings are and adjust accordingly (if you can). (And I really hate that I had to say that.)

 

[Tenk]

So...part of your evaluation of students which effects them in a big way isn't just their sense of humor but whether their sense of humor happens to match yours? Talk about luck. IMO this should in no way ever elevate one competent student above another.


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I usually give straight 5s because I know grades are important. The people who don't are the ones who: don't try, don't engage, look bored, ask questions you can google or uptodate, don't have a plan, and don't make good small talk. When I make an evaluation there are multiple components such as if I feel that you would be good in EM. Guess what, EM is probably the most social specialty of them all and it pays to have a good sense of humor otherwise you probably won't last.

I'm sorry if this is a rude awakening for you, but just wait a few years until your metrics and your career revolves around patient satisfaction and staff interactions. You're going to tell me that having a good sense of humor or social skills don't matter? Hell, they matter more to most administrators than any other quality you got! Is it right? Probably not. Is it reality? You bet it is!

Better to learn that as an MS3 than when you get fired from your first real job as an attending which I have seen happen.

 

[PharmlyDoc]

I have a saying, when you go to open your mouth, and one of two things can come out of it, and one will make you seem smarter, but one will make you more likeable, go with likeable every single time. Sometimes that means playing dumb so someone else can feel good teaching you. Sometimes that means backing down and being mousy.

lololol because the way I am here is like the opposite of how I was in med school
I had like split personality disorder from my actual nature vs the persona I had in med school

people seem to think my title "Boot Licker" is some weird sexual fetish, it's not. It is a reminder to me of what my job is at the bottom of the totem pole.

and in fact, being assertive in intern year (I was a bit more invested in my patients being the one writing the orders) got me in the most trouble

it's OK to answer questions, if asked for an opinion on management to speak up, but on the whole total humility gets you way further than confidence which can be taken wrong

Imagining myself in a patient's shoes, I would want my healthcare provider to be assertive, and stand up for themself.

Interesting article I came across recently, http://www.elseviercpm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Elsevier-Collaborative-Care-White-Paper.pdf

I especially took notice to this paragraph, "
As the talent pool shrinks and demands increase, hospital, outpatient and clinical workforces are stretched thin. Thus it will be very tempting to keep one’s head down and forge ahead on the most familiar path. Add all the layers of operational hierarchy and personal work preferences, and the focus can narrow even more."

 

[cbrons]

I would want my healthcare provider to be assertive

Why are you using the false equivocation phraseology of the nursing lobby w/ "healthcare provider"?


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[Crayola227]

Imagining myself in a patient's shoes, I would want my healthcare provider to be assertive, and stand up for themself.

Interesting article I came across recently, http://www.elseviercpm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Elsevier-Collaborative-Care-White-Paper.pdf

I especially took notice to this paragraph, "
As the talent pool shrinks and demands increase, hospital, outpatient and clinical workforces are stretched thin. Thus it will be very tempting to keep one’s head down and forge ahead on the most familiar path. Add all the layers of operational hierarchy and personal work preferences, and the focus can narrow even more."

My advice was aimed at the person lowest on the totem pole, the 3rd year med student. And really, I would say my advice applies at least until your 2nd year of residency in your main field.

So your comment here doesn't even apply, and you're not a doctor, and you're not a med student.

I appreciate your input as a patient, but it's not relevant to the relationships that were being discussed in this thread.