In deciding what to write on tonight, I drew some inspiration from a recent Olympic snowboarding event and from Jarrod Shapiro’s Residency Rap column this week on competency vs. confidence. If you didn’t catch the piece by Jarrod, I highly recommend giving it a read over at http://www.podiatricresidency.com/residencyrap/30.html

Those who are following the Olympics know this bit of news well, but for those of you who are not, Lindsey Jacobellis was way out front for the US Gold in a new event called Snowboard Cross. On the final few seconds of the race, Lindsey (having looked back and realizing she had a commanding lead) elected to showboat on the final jump with some extra flair and proceeded to fall. You can see the video at http://www.nbcolympics.com

Whether you want to call it overconfidence or bad luck, this move cost Lindsey the Gold medal.

American Lindsey Jacobellis, who was leading
in the final of the Women's Snowboard Cross
competition, crashes in sight of the finish at the
Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Bardonecchia, Italy

Residency programs are full of ego and self-promotion. This can be found in the attendings as well as the residents, and is not necessarily a bad thing. Hospitals, clinics, and operating rooms can be competitive medical training environments and this can bring about many things. For the most part, I believe that as a resident you have to exist somewhere between overconfident and obedient. It is a difficult endeavor to find the right pace and attitude with which to charge your way through residency, but if you don’t find it, you will end up being regarded as a problem in the program. Once you are labeled, it is very hard to shake and that reputation will precede you on future rotations and with attendings you have not even met.

Residency requires a strong sense of balance. Particularly, this balance needs to be struck between your co-residents and also with your attendings. You have to show interest without being ‘pushy’…you need to take initiative without being ‘overpowering’…you need to give others a chance at opportunity without being a ‘slacker’… In reality, it’s not that hard, but you have to make a conscious effort.

Any stories, feedback or questions about the experiences that you've had in your residency program?  Let's make this forum more interactive. We're not looking for gems here...just the sharing of your personal experiences.  Please share your comments by sending a note to jsteinberg@podiatry.com

John S. Steinberg, DPM
Editor, PRESENT

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