Humility in Medicine

Let’s kick off this season with a worthy but sometimes difficult goal: a goal of humility. Ariel Lefkowitz, MD, FRCPC candidly unveils his humanity by recounting a moment when he believed he was… “at the top of the mountain, only to fall flat on my butt."

Dr. Lefkowitz contends that humility isn't ‘just’ a competency but rather a ‘core’ competency essential for all physicians. Becoming comfortable with discomfort is, after all, critical to being a physician. And humility can, without a doubt, be learned. By embracing humility, you can enhance your practice, thereby elevating patient care... a win-win for everyone. 

Humility allows us to make mistakes, grow, and learn. Do you actively promote an environment where others feel empowered to voice their concerns, especially in uncertain situations? It's a prime opportunity to demonstrate vulnerability while encouraging the verging of minds. Ultimately, humility fosters an environment that prioritizes patient safety and quality improvement... another win-win!

So, here’s a humble challenge:  practice being wrong and being open about it (and forgive yourself along the way).