What qualities do students and young doctors look for in role models?
The attributes of medical role models have been the subject of several interesting studies. Wright and colleagues looked at physicians who had been identified as excellent role models by students and residents.3–5 They found that the most important qualities in role models were a positive attitude to junior colleagues, compassion for patients, and integrity. Clinical competence, enthusiasm for their subject, and teaching ability were also important, but research achievement and academic status were much less so. Compared with colleagues, physicians who were identified as excellent role models spent more time teaching and conducting rounds and were more likely to stress the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and psychosocial aspects of medicine. They also socialised more with house staff, sharing professional experiences and talking about their personal lives.
