Succeeding on Rotations

and in Residency

Joshua Courtney, DO

Anesthesiologist

Founder and CMO,

TrueLearn Inc.

Discuss attributes that make some med students and

residents stand out over others

Review 10 behaviors that will absolutely impact your

ability to gain credibility and trust with colleagues,

hospital staff, and attendings.

Empower you to be the best YOU possible.

Goals for today:

Attending

Fellow

Senior Resident

Junior Resident

Intern

4th Year Med Student

3rd Year Med Student

What makes a great resident? .

What makes a great physician? .

What makes a great med student? .

Behavior #1

Establish Credibility

1) Integrity

2) Intent

3) Capabilities

4) Results

The Core Components of Credibility

Character

Competence

Do what you say and say what you do!

Personal integrity is the foundation of trust Being

congruent inside and out

Have the courage to act in accordance with your

values and beliefs

Core Component 1: Integrity

Be straightforward!

Motives, our agendas, and behaviors must be

consistent

Creating scenarios that

are mutually beneficial

Core Component 2: Intent

Inspire confidence!

Talents

Attitudes

Skills

Knowledge

Style

Core Component 3: Capabilities

Establish a track record of performance!

Accomplish what we are expected to accomplish

Get things done

Reliability

Core Component 4: Results

Behavior #2

Demonstrate Respect

Always!

Behavior #2 – Demonstrate Respect

Be straightforward!

Motives, our agendas, and behaviors must be

consistent

Creating scenarios that

are mutually beneficial

Behavior #3

Come Prepared

Behavior #3

Admit Wrongs

Behavior #3

Avoid Commentary

Behavior #3

Talk Straight

Behavior #3

Be Accountable

Behavior #3

Be Teachable

Behavior #3

Get Better

Behavior #3

Practice Humility

Learn to demonstrate empathy at all times

Go out of your way to be kind and respectful to

hospital staff

Offer to take coverage for colleagues

See the extra patient, do the extra admit, and leave

extra late

Call people by their first names – especially ancillary

staff

Document thoroughly

Read before you come into the hospital

DO…

Talk disrespectfully to hospital staff

Arrive late and leave early

Say you have done a procedure when you have not

Take shortcuts with progress notes

Document exams you haven’t performed

Give the impression you are unteachable

Show up unprepared

Act disinterested

Make up answers when you are being pimped

DO NOT:

Learn how to make a great first impression. You have 7

seconds to accomplish this task.

Establish trust and credibility with house staff

Be respectful always – to members of the physician team,

but also to ancillary staff, peers, and those junior to you in

the hospital.

Avoid too much commentary – especially for med

students. Learn to listen and make the staff’s job easier.

They will have more time to teach you.

Prioritize self-care. Your well-being matters and will show

In Conclusion:

“A leader is one who knows the way,

goes the way, and shows the way”

John C. Maxwell