The white coats are lengthening on our hospital’s floor. Medical students are preparing for internships, interns are stepping into residencies, and residents are climbing the ladder toward attending physician. Like a proud parent, I fondly recall the first days of these medical doctors on our hectic floor. Many arrived as humble, even shy, medical students, apologizing for their lack of familiarity with the layout of the floor, the location of equipment, or their inability to write orders. The innocence of the new med student reminds me of that of a precocious child – sometimes overly confident, frequently awkward, but typically naïve. But, like children, they grow so quickly.  I am always surprised to see how suddenly our “baby docs” grow into the roles of residents and attending physicians. Some have passed these milestones with their attitudes gracefully intact. A few have become more arrogant than I could have predicted.

I generally get along well with the doctors on our floor. Most of us see our roles are symbiotic and our goals as harmonious. Our shared focus is on the patient. As team members, we frequently turn to each other for such mundane advice as the location of scarce supplies or troubleshooting equipment. We also closely rely on each other for sharing critical information and insights. As a result, bonds form over a relatively small amount of time. I make a habit of welcoming new med students to the floor and assisting them in getting oriented to the hospital and their role. As their expertise and confidence grows, the doctors generally return the favor by sharing pertinent information and treating me with utmost respect. It is only natural that our communication channels stay positive as they expand in their roles.

Do you feel like you share in the growth and development of other members of the medical team? Let us hear your thoughts and experiences.