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The point isnt to discuss my neuroticism (although a few of the illustrative points may involve that). But, Im interested in your thoughts about professional conduct and how much it extends into your private life.
I take professionalism seriously, especially in front of patients, professors, attendings, and deans. Rarely in front of my boss, coworkers and fellow students while at work/school, I may let my hair down a little (meaning, I would relax a little but would still be within the range of normal professional conduct). But to what extent do you personally feel that it extends into your private life?
I started thinking about this with SDN. I do not post things that I wouldnt say in person, but there is obviously a different context in the professional forums (semi-serious) and the lounge forums (beyond casual). But, I might feel a little weird if my schools dean of admissions, a residency program director, or my mentor ventured into the lounge if they didnt know my sense of humor, they'd probably think I have substantial psychological comorbidity.
Taking this internet/print side of things a step further our school recently had a discussion about the educational environment (illustrative example and what I think should be fine information in the public domain). The controversy started with a letter to the editor of the local paper criticizing the med school (not from a med student but from someone close to one). In response, at least one other student responded via blog (as well as others writing letters/articles publicly). Anyway Im not suggesting that providing criticism to the medical profession, specific institutions (whether hospital or medical school), or perhaps even specific providers is inappropriate. But, how do you feel about conduct (in this case, publicly written information either published or electronically in an unedited form) that airs medicines dirty laundry? For clarity Im not saying that critical books, cartoons, essays, or blogs are bad. But, when might it be unprofessional to do so? When its derogatory to an individual or group of individuals? Would it be unprofessional to bash surgeons in general? How about the surgery dept at my institution? Or a specific attending? What if I said, All medical students are arrogant pricks.? Or, limited this to gunners? Or, those 2 handraisers in the front row? Aside from personal attacks, is it unprofessional to make strange public statements (say, based on no scientific fact like if I was an MD hocking the equivalent of the Astrology Cures they dont want you to know about)?
Changing examples: med school parties. Sure I imagine all schools have social functions (and med students can throw houseparties like anyone else). Random stuff happens at parties hooking up, being an ass, puking on the futon, general merriment. But, its an isolated environment. Take the same party and put it in a random bar. Does it matter if its 30 med students on a bar crawl or who randomly decide to go to Bar X? What if it was initially reserved under the name of a medical student association?
There was a post last year on SDN some M1 seemed really upset about being asked to go a strip club with friends, for fear of being seen there. Is the situation different if its four or less people? I mean, its just a random group of friends going out. But does the context change if you were wearing an Ivy League State College of Medicine sweatshirt? What if it was after a med school party and 15-20 people decided to go as a group? This happened to a friend of mine, actually she went with a bunch of guys to a strip club (the whole group was med students, and the guys regularly went). But, when SHE got a lapdance for fun, one of the guys flipped out on her, saying how unprofessional it was.
Alcohol is obviously a touchy situation most appreciate that a DUI for a med student is a different beast than a DUI for, say, an engineering professional student. So, what if you were just a bastard driver but had an MD license plate (or ILSCOM window sticker)? Does that reflect poorly on the profession?
What if you are publicly involved in controversial organizations? What if you had a bunch of witchcraft stickers? Or white power and swastikas stenciled on your car? A friend of mine was arrested at a peace protest - is that unprofessional? What if she was wear her white coat at the time as part of the demonstration?
Being part of a profession probably cannot dictate beliefs, but it can dictate behavior. If you delve into the history of professionalism, you understand the differences between a profession and a job. Ive obviously seen a lot of posts in SDN that say that medicine is just a job, but I also feel a substantial proportion of students do not feel this way.
Discuss 🙂
I take professionalism seriously, especially in front of patients, professors, attendings, and deans. Rarely in front of my boss, coworkers and fellow students while at work/school, I may let my hair down a little (meaning, I would relax a little but would still be within the range of normal professional conduct). But to what extent do you personally feel that it extends into your private life?
I started thinking about this with SDN. I do not post things that I wouldnt say in person, but there is obviously a different context in the professional forums (semi-serious) and the lounge forums (beyond casual). But, I might feel a little weird if my schools dean of admissions, a residency program director, or my mentor ventured into the lounge if they didnt know my sense of humor, they'd probably think I have substantial psychological comorbidity.
Taking this internet/print side of things a step further our school recently had a discussion about the educational environment (illustrative example and what I think should be fine information in the public domain). The controversy started with a letter to the editor of the local paper criticizing the med school (not from a med student but from someone close to one). In response, at least one other student responded via blog (as well as others writing letters/articles publicly). Anyway Im not suggesting that providing criticism to the medical profession, specific institutions (whether hospital or medical school), or perhaps even specific providers is inappropriate. But, how do you feel about conduct (in this case, publicly written information either published or electronically in an unedited form) that airs medicines dirty laundry? For clarity Im not saying that critical books, cartoons, essays, or blogs are bad. But, when might it be unprofessional to do so? When its derogatory to an individual or group of individuals? Would it be unprofessional to bash surgeons in general? How about the surgery dept at my institution? Or a specific attending? What if I said, All medical students are arrogant pricks.? Or, limited this to gunners? Or, those 2 handraisers in the front row? Aside from personal attacks, is it unprofessional to make strange public statements (say, based on no scientific fact like if I was an MD hocking the equivalent of the Astrology Cures they dont want you to know about)?
Changing examples: med school parties. Sure I imagine all schools have social functions (and med students can throw houseparties like anyone else). Random stuff happens at parties hooking up, being an ass, puking on the futon, general merriment. But, its an isolated environment. Take the same party and put it in a random bar. Does it matter if its 30 med students on a bar crawl or who randomly decide to go to Bar X? What if it was initially reserved under the name of a medical student association?
There was a post last year on SDN some M1 seemed really upset about being asked to go a strip club with friends, for fear of being seen there. Is the situation different if its four or less people? I mean, its just a random group of friends going out. But does the context change if you were wearing an Ivy League State College of Medicine sweatshirt? What if it was after a med school party and 15-20 people decided to go as a group? This happened to a friend of mine, actually she went with a bunch of guys to a strip club (the whole group was med students, and the guys regularly went). But, when SHE got a lapdance for fun, one of the guys flipped out on her, saying how unprofessional it was.
Alcohol is obviously a touchy situation most appreciate that a DUI for a med student is a different beast than a DUI for, say, an engineering professional student. So, what if you were just a bastard driver but had an MD license plate (or ILSCOM window sticker)? Does that reflect poorly on the profession?
What if you are publicly involved in controversial organizations? What if you had a bunch of witchcraft stickers? Or white power and swastikas stenciled on your car? A friend of mine was arrested at a peace protest - is that unprofessional? What if she was wear her white coat at the time as part of the demonstration?
Being part of a profession probably cannot dictate beliefs, but it can dictate behavior. If you delve into the history of professionalism, you understand the differences between a profession and a job. Ive obviously seen a lot of posts in SDN that say that medicine is just a job, but I also feel a substantial proportion of students do not feel this way.
Discuss 🙂
