Qualities of an Excellent Doctor - Professor Mayur Lakhani

Summary

In this motivational speech, the speaker reassures aspiring doctors that they've made an excellent career choice. Emphasizing the importance of striving for excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning, the speaker shares key learning points for success in medicine. They also stress the need for self-care to avoid burnout and advise against cynicism and entitlement. The speaker encourages doctors to use their influence to uphold excellence and be proactive in their careers.

Takeaways

• 🌟 **Excellence in Medicine**: Strive for excellence and never settle for average in your medical career.
• 💡 **Innovation and New Thinking**: Embrace innovation and new ideas as the NHS and medicine are constantly evolving.
• 🔬 **The Third Science**: Recognize the importance of improvement science in implementing research findings into everyday medical practice.
• 📚 **Lifelong Learning**: Develop a strategy for lifelong learning to stay updated with the ever-changing field of medicine.
• 🤔 **Reflection and Learning from Mistakes**: Reflect on your experiences and learn from your mistakes to grow professionally.
• 💆‍♂️ **Self-Care**: Understand the importance of self-care to avoid burnout, especially in the demanding field of healthcare.
• 🗣️ **Guard Against Cynicism**: Avoid cynicism and maintain a positive and progressive attitude towards change and improvement.
• 🙅‍♂️ **Avoid Entitlement and Victim Mentality**: Do not fall into the trap of entitlement or victim mentality; take initiative and responsibility for your career.
• 👩‍⚕️ **Your Voice Counts**: Use your influence and voice to advocate for excellence and counter anything that detracts from it.
• 🙏 **Gratitude and Influence**: Always be on the side of patients and use your position to make a positive impact in their care.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey to the audience?

The speaker is reassuring the audience that choosing a career in medicine is a fantastic decision and encouraging them to strive for excellence, embrace innovation, and maintain a lifelong learning approach.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of not accepting average in the medical profession?

The speaker stresses that nothing less than excellence is acceptable for a doctor because the stakes are high and the profession demands the best from its practitioners.

What role does innovation play in the speaker's career success?

Innovation is crucial as it drives progress in medicine. The speaker highlights the importance of new ideas and thinking, particularly in the context of the 'third science' of improvement, which focuses on implementing research findings into practice.

How does the speaker suggest staying current in the field of medicine?

The speaker advises developing a strategy for lifelong learning and maintaining a strong system for keeping up to date with the latest developments in medicine.

What does the speaker mean by 'reflection and learning from your mistakes'?

The speaker is advocating for a culture of continuous self-improvement where doctors reflect on their actions, learn from any errors, and use these lessons to enhance their practice.

Why is self-care important for doctors according to the speaker?

Self-care is essential to prevent burnout, which is a high risk in caring professions due to heavy workloads, lack of control over the working environment, and difficult patients.

What are the three things the speaker suggests guarding against in a medical career?

The speaker advises guarding against cynicism, entitlement, and victim mentality, as these attitudes can hinder success and adaptation to a changing medical landscape.

How does the speaker define the 'third science' in the context of medicine?

The 'third science' refers to improvement science, which is about how to implement the findings of research into everyday clinical practice, thus bridging the gap between discovery and application.

What is the speaker's stance on the idea that everything should be provided to medical professionals?

The speaker is against the notion of entitlement, arguing that medical professionals should not expect everything to be handed to them but should actively work towards their own success and the betterment of their practice.

What advice does the speaker give for dealing with the demanding nature of a medical career?

The speaker encourages medical professionals to make the most of their choice to be doctors, to use their influence to counter anything that works against excellence, and to always be on the side of the patient.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Encouragement and Guidance for Future Doctors

The speaker begins by acknowledging the doubts and concerns that may arise for those considering a career in medicine, particularly given the dynamic nature of the NHS and the challenges it presents. They reassure the audience that they've made an excellent choice and aim to share personal experiences, both successful and less so, to guide them. The speaker emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence, not settling for mediocrity, and the necessity of innovation and new thinking in the ever-changing field of medicine. They also highlight the significance of keeping up to date with advancements, reflecting on mistakes as a learning tool, and the importance of self-care to prevent burnout. The speaker advises against cynicism and entitlement, urging the audience to be proactive and positive in their approach to medicine.

Keywords

💡Excellence

Excellence refers to the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. In the context of the video, it is emphasized as the standard that aspiring doctors should strive for, rather than settling for mediocrity. The speaker encourages medical students to aim for excellence in their practice, as it is a fundamental aspect of providing the best patient care. For instance, the speaker states, 'do not accept average as your aspiration, you have to accept Excellence because nothing less will do as a doctor.'

💡Innovation

Innovation is the process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods. The script highlights the importance of innovation in medicine, suggesting that it is crucial for doctors to embrace new ideas and thinking to stay at the forefront of their field. The speaker mentions their connection with a university and a professor, which led to significant thoughts about the possibilities that science offers, indicating that innovation is driven by scientific discovery.

💡Research

Research in this context refers to the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. The video underscores the marriage of research and clinical science, suggesting that research is integral to medical advancement. The speaker also introduces the concept of the 'third science,' improvement science, which is about implementing research findings into everyday practice.

💡Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons. The speaker stresses the importance of having a strategy for lifelong learning in medicine, as the field is constantly evolving, and doctors must continually update their knowledge and skills. This is evident when the speaker says, 'medicine is about lifelong learning it's not about discrete points qualifications you're learning all the time.'

💡Reflection

Reflection is the process of thinking deeply about one's experiences, thoughts, feelings, and actions to gain a greater understanding and insight. In the video, the speaker encourages medical students to reflect and learn from their mistakes, which is a key part of professional development. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about learning from someone they admired, highlighting the value of reflection in a medical career.

💡Burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in demanding situations. The video addresses the risk of burnout in the caring professions, particularly due to workload, lack of influence over the working environment, and difficult patients. The speaker advises medical students to be aware of these factors and to seek support through mentoring and communication to avoid burnout.

💡Cynicism

Cynicism is a general distrust of people's motives, often leading to a negative outlook on life. The speaker warns against cynicism in the medical profession, suggesting that it can hinder progress and personal growth. They encourage a positive and progressive attitude instead, as those who adapt to change and resist cynicism are more likely to flourish in their careers.

💡Entitlement

Entitlement is a feeling of believing that one inherently deserves privileges or special treatment. The video script discourages the sense of entitlement, arguing that success in medicine requires hard work and initiative rather than expecting everything to be provided. The speaker challenges the notion that educators or hospitals should simply hand success to medical professionals.

💡Mentoring

Mentoring is a process where an experienced person (a mentor) guides and helps another person (a mentee), typically in the context of professional development. The speaker in the video advocates for mentoring as a means to support medical professionals in managing workload, influencing the work environment, and dealing with difficult patients, which are all factors that can lead to burnout.

💡Patient Care

Patient Care refers to the treatment and support provided to patients by healthcare professionals. While not explicitly mentioned in the script, the concept of patient care is central to the message, as the speaker's advice on striving for excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning all contribute to providing high-quality patient care. The ultimate goal for medical professionals, as suggested by the speaker, is to be the best doctors they can be for the benefit of their patients.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism in the context of the video refers to the conduct, approach, and ethics expected of a medical professional. The speaker implies the importance of professionalism by discussing the need for doctors to be excellent, innovative, and reflective. Professionalism is also tied to the avoidance of cynicism and entitlement, suggesting that doctors should maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards their work and their patients.

Highlights

You have made a fantastic career choice to be a doctor.

Striving for excellence is crucial; do not accept average as your aspiration.

Innovation, ideas, and new thinking are key in the ever-changing landscape of medicine.

The importance of the 'third science' - Improvement science and implementing research findings.

Developing a strategy for lifelong learning is essential in medicine.

Reflection and learning from mistakes are vital for professional growth.

Taking care of your mental health to prevent burnout, especially in caring professions.

Mentoring and peer support can help manage workload and difficult patients.

Guard against cynicism; adapt to change for a successful career.

Avoid the trap of entitlement and victim mentality to excel in medicine.

Medicine is a demanding career, but it's a choice that offers great opportunities.

Use your voice and influence to counter anything that works against excellence.

Always be on the side of patients and strive for the best in your medical practice.

The NHS is constantly changing, and adapting to these changes is part of being a successful doctor.

Clinical science and research are a marriage made in heaven, driving medical advancements.

Science drives us and keeps us going, leading to discoveries and improvements in medicine.

A strong system of keeping up to date is necessary for the practice of medicine.

Understanding your feelings and mental state is crucial to avoid burnout.

Support through mentoring and organization can help manage the challenges of the medical profession.

Transcripts

and whatever stage you're at I'm pretty

sure you'll be wondering what's in store

for you in the

future maybe you're doubting your choice

of career to study

medicine there constant change in the

NHS and a sense of

struggle you'll be worried will you

achieve the career that you want to do

will you be

successful and have the student debts

been worthwhile

well let me get straight to the point

and say you have done the right thing

you have made a fantastic career choice

to be a doctor I want to share with you

some things that worked for me and some

things that didn't work irrespective of

whatever branch of medicine you choose

if anyone can make a success of it I

know you can people in this room I need

you to be the most successful and the

best doctors you can be so what are the

learning points that I want to emphasize

uh again firstly I think striving for

excellence I did not want to do average

do not accept average as your aspiration

you have to accept Excellence because

nothing less will do as a

doctor the other thing I learned point

two is around innovation ideas and new

thinking everything is always changing

and my links with Le University and with

Professor Richard Baker

led me to think greatly uh about the

possibilities science is what drives us

what keeps us going which leads to the

Discovery the marriage of research and

Medicine clinical science is a marriage

made in heaven but there is a new

science is called the third science

which is Improvement science so how do

we implement the findings of research

into everyday

practice the third thing that I think

has made me have such a good career is

keeping up to date you know work out a

strategy for lifelong learning that you

need a a really strong and sound system

of keeping up to date so medicine is

about lifelong learning it's not about

discrete points qualifications you're

learning uh all the time number four I

think reflection and learning from your

mistakes my first you know and the idea

that somebody that I really looked up to

make mistakes was amazing and that I

learned I have it in my mind I even have

a book me Culper about what I have uh

learned the fifth point is take care of

yourself you have to understand yourself

you have to understand how you feel

about things your

makeup three things to God against um

workload not able to influence your

working environment and difficult

patience these three things cause a

thing called burnout burnout is a very

high risk for the caring professions and

you know what you can get support for

all these three things through mentoring

through uh talking to your organization

and talking to peers so if you prepare

for it you can plan for it and you can

avoid

it but do two things I want you to guard

against first thing you know our number

one enemy is

cynicism people who adapt to a changing

world will

flourish but if you make negative

choices if you resist change and

Improvement I'm afraid life's going to

be very difficult for you and these are

behaviors that we see often uh and they

are

inappropriate of course you should be

skeptical of course you should ask

questions of course you should make

inquiries but I think people with

positive and Progressive agenda will be

successful avoid the Trap of

entitlement and victim

mentality okay

do you want everything to be handed to

you on a

plate right the Educators to make you

the best doctors the hospital to provide

you with everything you need um no I'm

afraid it doesn't work like that

entitlement and the victim mentality

that is all too terrible I think needs

to be challenged medicine is a stressful

and demanding career to be a great

doctor it is demanding but look you made

that choice choice to be a doctor make

the most of that

opportunity so in

conclusion uh your voice can count use

your influence counter anything that

works against Excellence always be on

the side of patience thank you very much