As physicians , we are also teachers , not just to our patients , but to medical students and residents , and even to our peers . We all have participated in one-to-one teaching both from the perspective of a student and teacher . Physicians teach everywhere and by many different methods . Physicians are trained and hopefully nurtured by the teaching process and subsequently teach and nurture others .

Dr . William Stewart Halsted , the first Chief of Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital , formalized the model “ See one , do one , teach one ,” to help students and residents learn the skills that increased their independence in patient care . While Dr . Halsted wanted to develop a program to train surgeons , he also intended to create teachers and role models . Unfortunately , Dr . Halsted had many eccentricities and preferred the “ best few ” to train . Physicians today have evolved to teaching all , reaching for the opportunity to have an impact on many . 1

As I reflected on my personal experience with being “ taught ” and “ nurtured ,” I asked myself , how can I teach others to help their patients learn ? How can I “ pay it forward ?” How can I marry the ability to advocate with the ability to teach ? Many of us were not born with teaching skills , but everyday experience with our patients has created a perfect template for teaching . For me , having medical students and residents join me in my daily pediatric practice was an opportunity to teach ( and learn ), to nurture , to share advocacy skills with a captive audience . Reflecting on the various medical students and residents rotating with me , I now realize that they have helped me to recognize the potential in each and every learner . I recognized their strengths and resources ; they in turn did this for our patients , modeling what they had learned from me . Specifically teaching the need for advocacy allows our students to obtain rewarding experiences which boost their confidence and empowerment .

I am not alone in appreciating the rewards of teaching advocacy and mentoring throughout my career . So many GLMS members teach and mentor by providing motivation , positive reinforcement and feedback to their learners , helping them to develop empathy , respect and appreciation for their patients .

Advocacy is a mechanism to create change . Teaching , mentoring and advocacy compose the triad of valuable leadership qualities . I appreciate all that you do as you promote each of them ! We doctors never forget our mentors , our consultants , the clinicians and professors who help us keep our patients safe . Our experiences are varied and unique but maintaining teaching and nurturing whether with our patients , our students or any learner we encounter is a prime quality of a successful leader : a leader who values advocacy as a skill set that we should all possess - a leader who inspires .

It is a responsibility that we as physician leaders appreciate and embrace as we “ pay it forward .” I welcome any stories of your path to advocacy , teaching and mentorship and how you “ pay it forward .”

References

1

Imber MD , Gerald . Genius on the edge : The bizarre double life of Dr . William Stewart Halsted , Kaplan Publishing , February 2011 .

Dr . Purcell currently serves as the District IV Vice Chair for the American Academy of Pediatrics .

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