A bit of advice, as I've seen good med students and poor med students on rotation.
Don't comment on the adequacy of your resident's technique during a procedure in front of the patient. It comes across as critical, even though you're couching it in a "I'm just inquiring" kind of way.
Don't interfere with the procedure you're supposed to observe. Don't assist if you don't know what you're doing. And if a resident says, "Don't do that," please stop -- don't keep trying. Didn't we learn to listen in kindergarten? If the resident isn't slapping you down as you're jumping all over the procedure messing it up, it's not because he isn't irritated at you - it's because he's too polite to snarl at you in front of the patient, and he's doing you the favor of not embarrassing you in front of the attending present.
Get your facts straight. If you've sat in on a lecture, Grand Rounds, or conference, and you want to chat about it with an attending in an effort to impress them, please do not go around misinterpreting the basic facts about what was discussed, especially in front of people who were there.
Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question, even though attendings are too nice to say so. Because we residents hear your stupid questions, and wonder why you haven't bothered to learn the basics of the particular disease or biology you're asking about.
Now for the good characteristics:
Helpful in an unobstrusive way without being prompted.
Knowledgeable.
Anticipating a resident's needs and meeting them.
Earnest.
In meeting med students along the way, I've concluded that some of the positive and negative behavior I've seen on rotations is simply based on character and personality -- things you cannot easily change. Those who are irritating do not have the personal insight to realize they are irritating.
Don't comment on the adequacy of your resident's technique during a procedure in front of the patient. It comes across as critical, even though you're couching it in a "I'm just inquiring" kind of way.
Don't interfere with the procedure you're supposed to observe. Don't assist if you don't know what you're doing. And if a resident says, "Don't do that," please stop -- don't keep trying. Didn't we learn to listen in kindergarten? If the resident isn't slapping you down as you're jumping all over the procedure messing it up, it's not because he isn't irritated at you - it's because he's too polite to snarl at you in front of the patient, and he's doing you the favor of not embarrassing you in front of the attending present.
Get your facts straight. If you've sat in on a lecture, Grand Rounds, or conference, and you want to chat about it with an attending in an effort to impress them, please do not go around misinterpreting the basic facts about what was discussed, especially in front of people who were there.
Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question, even though attendings are too nice to say so. Because we residents hear your stupid questions, and wonder why you haven't bothered to learn the basics of the particular disease or biology you're asking about.
Now for the good characteristics:
Helpful in an unobstrusive way without being prompted.
Knowledgeable.
Anticipating a resident's needs and meeting them.
Earnest.
In meeting med students along the way, I've concluded that some of the positive and negative behavior I've seen on rotations is simply based on character and personality -- things you cannot easily change. Those who are irritating do not have the personal insight to realize they are irritating.
