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A thread on leadership, making mistakes + saying thank you (inspired by @andrewjtagg)
I've made many mistakes during my years in medicine, but I made a big one right at the beginning
It was 2003, I was in my house officer year in my first job. I was scared + inexperienced
1/10
I've made many mistakes during my years in medicine, but I made a big one right at the beginning
It was 2003, I was in my house officer year in my first job. I was scared + inexperienced
1/10
Things were different then. There wasn't support from trainees or nursing staff. You got left to get on with it. We weren't taught or trained like we are now.
I misinterpreted a patient's blood gas. Honestly, I didn't understand what I was looking at.
2/10
I misinterpreted a patient's blood gas. Honestly, I didn't understand what I was looking at.
2/10
I thought the gas was ok; it clearly wasn't.
The mistake was discovered the next day on our ward round.
The patient was unwell + the consultant spotted it immediately. "Who saw this blood gas last night?"
"It was me" I mumbled.
The large ward team turned + stared at me.
3/10
The mistake was discovered the next day on our ward round.
The patient was unwell + the consultant spotted it immediately. "Who saw this blood gas last night?"
"It was me" I mumbled.
The large ward team turned + stared at me.
3/10
I can't remember the next bit. People more competent than me huddled round the patient + tried to fix the problem I'd caused. I got bundled off into the consultant's office.
I cried + prepared for his impending arrival
Medicine was clearly a mistake. I was not good enough
4/10
I cried + prepared for his impending arrival
Medicine was clearly a mistake. I was not good enough
4/10
I'm sure he told me many things in that office. But the part I remember is this:
"This doesn't make you a bad doctor. It doesn't mean you should quit medicine. It's a mistake. You will make many more. Learn from it, try to stop it happening again, and move forward."
5/10
"This doesn't make you a bad doctor. It doesn't mean you should quit medicine. It's a mistake. You will make many more. Learn from it, try to stop it happening again, and move forward."
5/10
And I did. I kept going. I learned more. I studied harder. I accepted my fallibility. I didn't quit medicine
I moved cities, countries, specialties + I never saw him again
15 years later, when I started my first job as a consultant, I looked him up online and emailed him
6/10
I moved cities, countries, specialties + I never saw him again
15 years later, when I started my first job as a consultant, I looked him up online and emailed him
6/10
I recounted the story I've just told you. I thanked him for his kindness + leadership. I explained that I've thought of that moment many times in the years since - when I've made mistakes, when my juniors have made mistakes.
And I've tried to channel his kindness forward.
7/10
And I've tried to channel his kindness forward.
7/10
I didn't know if I even had the right contact details.
But, a few days later he replied
He told me he remembered it clearly
He told me he was a new consultant at the time
He had never been in that situation before as a senior. He didn't know if he'd handled it well.
8/10
But, a few days later he replied
He told me he remembered it clearly
He told me he was a new consultant at the time
He had never been in that situation before as a senior. He didn't know if he'd handled it well.
8/10
He said it meant a lot that I'd taken the time to contact and think him.
And it was important for him to know that so many years later it was still something I thought of and remembered.
9/10
And it was important for him to know that so many years later it was still something I thought of and remembered.
9/10
My story won't be unique.
You will have people who have done something memorable for you, even if it was minor for them.
Find them, tell them, thank them.
It's never too late to do so. Sometimes it means more coming so many years later.
10/10
You will have people who have done something memorable for you, even if it was minor for them.
Find them, tell them, thank them.
It's never too late to do so. Sometimes it means more coming so many years later.
10/10
