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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2 0 1 5
Surgeons in Training
Teaching orthopedic residents is one of life's greatest challenges.
I
'm blessed to educate the next generation of surgeons. Teaching,
however, requires supreme patience, espe-
cially when you're dealing with these resi-
dents:
• The Know-It-All. This resident believes he's on
Chapter 9, but he's still floundering in the pre-
amble of the book of surgical knowledge. Some
of these bombastic few earn the title PROFESSOR
since they exude a sense of supreme confi-
dence and erudition. They continually cite
needless trivia in a hopeless attempt to con-
vince others (and themselves) that they really do know orthopedics.
Yes, they may know the innervation of the articularis genu, but have no
idea what a rotator cuff is. Time for a huge slice of humble pie.
• All Thumbs. These unfortunate few likely entered a surgical career to
please a parent or for mere egoic gratification. Too many episodes of
"Grey's Anatomy" are perhaps to blame. Manual dexterity is not their
strong suit; they probably suffer at home when asked to carve the
turkey. Some are so challenged with motor skills that if I walk they
can't chew gum. What many of these souls lack in dexterity they make
up in intelligence and perseverance. Yes, they usually can draw out the
brachial plexus, but tying their shoelaces can prove to be an ordeal.
Thankfully, we are in the age of simulation; many residents have seen
meteoric gains in their skills.
• Rambo. This resident possesses reasonably good manual dexterity,
but has all the gentleness and kindness to tissue of an MMA fighter.
Arthroscopy is truly not his gig; he's much more comfortable wielding a
saw or Magnum drill. When supervising Rambo, the Hail Mary's are flow-
C U T T I N G R E M A R K S
John D. Kelly IV, MD
z TRYING WORK Teaching surgical
residents can be challenging to say the least.