How to be the kind of Consultant every junior wants to become

This 'guidance' may be a bit premature... But hey, just because I haven't had a consultant post does not mean I have not encountered the best and worst the fraternity has to offer.

"I speak to you not as medical students, but as my future colleagues."

This is potentially the most inspiring quote from the most inspiring consultant I have ever had. I tell you, I would have gone to the moon and back for this man. He was probably one of the few seniors that treated us as people with skills and opinions that mattered, rather than the nameless, faceless minions that we have been conditioned to believe we are. Apparently, we are the future of medicine. Who knew?

Now, there are many ingredients to make the perfect consultant. These would include lots and lots (and lots) of experience, good communication skills, extensive knowledge on, well.. everything.. in life in general, and maybe buying your juniors a round of coffee after ward rounds to secure their undying allegiance. However, in my limited experience, the 'best' consultants (i.e. not the ones I liked the most but the ones who had an efficient team and provided high quality care) were the ones who placed value on everyone they worked with- as well as their patients.


They thanked their secretary for ringing to remind them of a meeting. They gave constructive feedback to the intern who put the drip up wrong. They let students suture patients in theatre even though the last and only time they ever sutured was on a manikin. They believed the people they worked with were competent until proven otherwise.

And last but not least, the patient. The patient was always part of the team. True, they did not come to MDT meetings to discuss their latest histology results. But they were always treated with respect and dignity. Always. Their opinion had value and weight, rather than being a check box at the end of a consultation.

I probably won't be a consultant for a while. But it helps to have good role models. Thankfully, they still exist.