As I'm sure you've summoned, I'm not really a fan of getting pimped... but as I've gotten older I have to say I'm much better at dealing with it. For instance, I have no problem repeatedly stating that I have no idea what he/she is talking about. I know that there is so much to know in the world that it is OK to say "I don't know". Plus, admitting that you have no idea early on in the pimping session makes it much less enjoyable for the pimper (or maybe just pimp?) to continue his tirade. Additionally, I have no issue with telling somebody to get off my case. Usually I can ward off pimping pretty well. Not to say that a really good pimp couldn't still make my adrenaline surge or even prompt a few tears... but they'd have to be the world's biggest a-hole for that.
So some people advocate that they like professors who pimp because they make you think, they make you uncomfortable, and put you on your toes. I couldn't disagree more. For me, being in utter terror of not having the right answer never contributed positively to my learning processes.
Interestingly, the ones who pimp the most usually seem to be incredibly mediocre, unaccomplished and on their own narcissistic ego trip... out to demonstrate to the group that they know at least one thing that the pimpee doesn't know. It's totally not necessary. I have met some of the most accomplished, amazing, noble prize winning professors and NOT ONE of them ever did this crap to me. According to Buddha's requirements for being a great teacher, one must be deeply compassionate with their students and have ultimate patience. No where on the list does it mention "Pimp your students until they vomit from sheer panic".
Which happens. There are tons of stories about med students and residents getting so stressed out by pimping sessions that they actually pass out, have anxiety attacks, or burst out in tears. Two stories I've heard about at my school include a girl who passed out in anatomy lab after getting pimped (Yuck... hopefully she missed the cadaver), and a guy who passed out during a group learning session after getting grilled. I mean really. What can this possibly accomplish? Since when are "knowing the right answer in 1 second" and "being resourceful and intelligent" synonymous?
No. What sucks is when you get the answer right, and the ATTENDING gets it wrong. And decides to humiliate you anyway.
ReplyDeleteNot that this has ever happened to me.....
But seriously, unless they're asking you esoteric crap, getting pimped can be a great way to show people what you know. Which is very little right now, but won't be forever!
I think we should pitch a reality show about pre meds, meds, and docs... replete with a pimper (Simon Cowell!!!) ... seems the thing to do these days (and yes, I posted my thought - maybe some hollyweird bigpop will find us and pay us for our misery... and eventually salvation as M.D.s - well you for sure, I'm still working on getting IN)
ReplyDeleteI really hate the teachers who just try to boost their egos by continually insulting the students. 'Aiding learning' is a lame excuse... On the contrary, it cripples the learning process.
ReplyDeleteYou put it all so rightly here. Those who are good at their subjects are rarely so harsh to their pupils
PS: Am blog rolling you. hope it's okay. :)
I once had an attending ask me the melting point of sebum. WTF?
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone waste brain cells knowing the melting point of sebum? It was just something he could know that no one else knew. It allowed him show off.
Every doctor has a lot they don't know. If you were the one pimping you could find out quickly that you know things your attendings don't. Asking questions is useful for learning, but doing it as a pissing contest just shows what jackasses some doctors are.
It is worse when medical students do a version of this to each other: At my medical school everyone was stressed about knowing enough, and some people would intentionally learn some obscure part of the material and ask you about it while studying. When you said you didn't know they would say, "Oh shit, you have to know that!" All done to stress out other students--Physchological warfare.
I hated my med school.
What OldMDGirl said about people assuming you are wrong. So infuriating.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I have the "Socratic method" ok, even if I get it wrong I still learn from it. There are just a few with whom I get "acute dumbass syndrome" and cannot remember, then they just make you feel stupid rather than asking in another way or bothering to teach. Just a few, but that crap feeling they give you really can persist.
In defense of my school, this isn't the norm. Most of my professors are pretty cool. Very few at the med school are bad.. It's much more likely to happen at the hospital from attendings and residents.
ReplyDeleteThings I like about your blog:
ReplyDelete1) Almost everything.
2) Emergency Medicine XOXOXO
3) Lots of posts for me to peruse.
Email me and tell me where you're applying, I'd love to give you pointers if you need 'em.