Being apprehensive when approaching a new Key Opinion Leader physician and researcher is understandable. You are walking into their territory, their questions, their time. This apprehension can give way to fear, nervousness, and doubt. It’s natural. If you have been following the series “The Pitt,” you can probably identify with the new medical students and even the residents. What is coming through the door next? Who is next? What decision do I need to make now? Am I ready? Even the attending in charge has some harboring doubts and mistakes are made now and then. A surgeon friend of mine told me that what characterizes the operating thinking of a surgeon is “Regardless of what comes my way today, I know I can fix it.” He went on to say that most surgeons in his experience love surgery because they are excited to fix and heal. “I know I can make this life better.” This is confidence steels them for the unknown, the unexpected.
So, as Medical Science Liaisons, are you nervous or are you excited? Nervous is about you… Excited is about them. Do I want my surgeon nervous or do I want her excited to fix me? One video ad for an east coast hospital had a surgeon greeting his patient early in the morning with “Nervous about today’s operation?” The patient responded, “Actually, yes I am.” The surgeon responded, “Good, ‘cause I’m not!” They both shared a reassuring laugh. Nervous is OK… Just translate it to excited at first blush. You are there for that doctor and her patients, she is not there for you. She wants to see excitement on your face and in your words. This visit is not a final oral grad school exam… It is a conversation of social equals figuring out how to heal others in their care.