Quick Summary
Surgery is an apprenticeship. Why you need a mentor, a sponsor, and a coach—and the difference between them.
Mentorship Matters: Standing on Shoulders
Sir William Osler said, "He who studies medicine without books sails an uncharted sea, but he who studies medicine without patients does not go to sea at all." We might add: "He who studies without a mentor sails without a compass."
The 3 Types of Support
You need more than one person.
- The Mentor: Gives advice. "Here is how I handled that complication."
- The Sponsor: Gives opportunity. "I have put your name forward for this committee." (They talk about you when you aren't in the room).
- The Coach: Improves skills. "Your elbow is too low when you suture. Lift it up."
How to Find a Mentor
- Don't ask "Will you be my mentor?" It's awkward and vague.
- Do ask for specific advice. "I noticed you handle difficult patients well. Can I watch how you break bad news?" The relationship builds organically from there.
Being a Mentee
Mentorship is a two-way street.
- Respect their time: specific questions, prepared materials.
- Close the loop: If they give advice, take it, then tell them what happened. "I tried that technique you suggested, and it worked great."
Pay it Forward: Ideally, you should have a mentor (someone senior) and a mentee (someone junior) at every stage of your career. Teaching reinforces your own learning.
Mentorship Matching Program
Join the OrthoVellum mentorship scheme.
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