7 Deadly Sins
to Avoid

Deadly Sin #1 - Just ask, "Do you understand?"

• If you end a teaching moment with "Do you understand?", most students no matter how confused will invariably answer "yes".

• A better strategy is to ask your student to show you that they know what you have taught.

  • Present a similar case for them to analyze.

  • Ask them to perform the procedure you’ve just taught them.

  • Ask them to summarize the concept you have just taught them.

Deadly Sin #2 - Give no feedback

•  Often, students say, "I kept asking how I was doing and everyone told me I was 'doing good' and to 'keep it up', but I only got a Pass, how did that happen?"

• Students will not improve no matter how much they try - unless they are given actual feedback about their performance.

• Want to learn how to give feedback? Start HERE 

Deadly Sin #3 - Criticize personality, not behavior

• Student can more easily change their behavior

• Give feedback on specific things the student has the power to change

  • Poor: You’re too shy. (Personality)

  • Better: Present one patient to the attending today. (Behavior)

Deadly Sin #4 - No objective

• If the student has no idea where they're going, it's going to be hard for them to get there.

• Start by telling the student what they are going to learn (even for a brief teaching moment)

• We all learn better when we know what the objective is.

  • Just tell them what you want.

    • Ex) Today, you will learn how to distinguish a normal lung x-ray from an abnormal one showing pneumonia

    • Ex) I’d like you to learn the steps required to intubate

Deadly Sin #5 - Teach at the student

• Most people prefer active learning to passive learning.

• Follow the 3 minute rule: “Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes without asking the student to do something.”

  • Ex) Let me erase the diagram and have you draw the diagram showing blood flow and explain it to me as you go.

• Keep them actively involved

  • Ask them to teach you, ask them a question, or have them show you how to set up a procedure

Deadly Sin #6 - Don't find time to teach

• Students will complain that the resident/attending did not have to teach

• Try to make sure that every contact with your student has a teaching moment.

  • Remember to call out your teaching, "Now, I am going to teach you..."

Deadly Sin #7 - Be bored with teaching

• Boredom is very infectious. But so is enthusiasm.

• If you are uninterested in teaching, the student will certainly know it.

• A good teacher is often a good actor. 

  • Fake enthusiasm if you don’t feel it. 

  • It may even help you feel enthusiasm.

Now that you know what not to do, here's what to do instead...

1. Ask students to demonstrate what they have learned.

2. Give students feedback.

3. Ask students to change their behavior, rather than their personality traits.

4. Tell students what you want them to learn: the objectives.

5. Talk and demonstrate for short periods; have students do the same.

6. Never be too busy to teach students.

7. Teach enthusiastically.