Day 45: Happenings around OUWB, coaching and constructive criticism2 min read

Today’s series of inane images of the day:

This is what I look like when I study… [thank you L for taking this photo of me!].

…and this is what the boys look like when they study.

When we build paper airplanes, the note tucked inside… [S should be a hand model]

…is usually related to medical school [JC may need to work on his handwriting…].

Something that I keep forgetting to mention is that we now officially have 4 elected officials to serve in the OUWB Student Government! I’m excited to see what they do this year!

One of my favorite medical writers is Dr. Atul Gawande. He is the author of three moving narratives and a pretty regular contributor to one of my favorite magazines, the New Yorker. His most recent piece, “Personal Best,” is thought-provoking and very timely [at least, it is to me]. Last week, we completed a “practice” feedback form for each of our team-based learning [TBL] group members. Today, we received the results of that form.

Let me now confess that I’ve never been the best at accepting criticism. And realistically, I don’t really know anyone who enjoys discussing their weaknesses. But in the end, the only way to improve is to always identify and target your weaknesses so that they no longer pose a problem. Although I completely recognize and understand this, it is still tough to read criticism, even if it is constructive. This being said, I understand why some members of the medical community may shy away from Dr. Gawande’s suggestion of having a “coach.” After the grueling number of effort and dedication a physician dedicates to their training, why would they subject themselves to the scrutiny of another?

Because we took an oath to the profession. The moment we entered medical school, we are obligated to serve humanity, and one way of doing this is to consistently look for ways to improve. Although it’s impossible to attain perfection, we are all perfectionists and should constantly strive toward this goal. So, even though I was slightly saddened by my critiques, I also appreciate the realization that accompanied them.

Today’s medical school fact of the day: The members of the Enterobacteriaceae family all share 4 major features: (1) ferment glucose, (2) catalase positive, (3) oxidase negative, (4) facultative anaerobes. – From Dr. Reygaert’s Microbiology lecture slides

[P.S. To my Jewish friends, Happy Rosh Hashanah!]