Have you ever heard of the phrase “those that can’t do, teach”? Well, if you think about the words, you can find a modicum of truth. (Not for all radiologists but some!) I’m sure that some of you have worked with a radiologist/former teacher who gave the most terrific lectures on a topic. And then, when you sat down with them for the first time to complete some work, you realized that something was not right? Maybe, they missed all the significant findings. Or perhaps, the dictations they created were so long, to be almost unreadable. I certainly have worked with some of these great teachers in the past. And, you will most likely too.
Does It Matter?
The simple answer is yes. But, why? Well, r
Moreover, we tend to give those mentors that we like a pass. In essence, these attendings perpetuate these bad habits because their teaching sways their students to ignore their foibles. And, programs are less apt to remediate these faculty members.
It reminds me of that friendly guy who was not so great at his job but continues to get promoted because he can never complete his work well. Everyone loves him. He eventually becomes the CEO of the company because no one has the guts to fire him!
How To Prevent Yourself From Falling Off The Proverbial Cliff?
Similar to the Reagan era when the United States made agreements with the Soviets to decrease nuclear weapons, all students need to trust but verify. What do I mean by that? We can’t always rely on what our favorite mentors say and do. With even our best teachers, we need to check on what they say. Even the best radiologists and mentors make mistakes. And, you certainly do not want to incorporate these mistakes into your practice.
Also, remember that sometimes your best teachers are not the most charismatic. Many times, that boring lecturer has excellent advice and maybe a better radiologist. You need to listen to all your faculty members to learn how to practice our specialty. I like to say that teaching is a team effort. If you learn from just one individual you will likely miss out on the best way to practice.
And finally, think about how your favorite mentor’s practice affects patient care. Does it make sense to ignore the liver windows on a CT scan when you improve your sensitivity for the detection of metastases in a patient with colon cancer? Probably not. Sometimes, we, as students, need to use some common sense.
Great Teachers And Radiologists: Not Always The Same
We love to ascribe positive sentiments to our favorite mentors and teachers. While true for some, not everyone is great at everything. Sometimes, we have to step back and decide for ourselves if our most entertaining and best lecturers are teaching everything that we need to know for our future. If you want the best experience from residency, learn from all your faculty, whether “charismatic” or “sub-par.” You will be happy that you did!
