141 The maturation of medical educators 5 Finally, the evolution of relevant character traits was highlighted, such as becoming milder and maturing in general, or becoming more patient with students. So I’ve become more careful over the years... the impact of what you do on a person... more patient with slow processes. (L09) The meaningful experiences that these educators highlighted included activities that encouraged reflection on the ‘self’ or on the teacher role, and led to increased self-awareness. Examples of these are: coaching students, receiving feedback from colleagues, and reading self-help literature. I have done a fair amount of reading in the business and self-help literature, seeking to enhance my effectiveness in promoting desired change in myself. (S12) Maturation through growing awareness of educational mission The two educators who became aware of their educational mission (Inspirer phenotype) changed their focus from themselves to the students and patients. They indicated that they had become more deeply motivated to raise students’ awareness of philosophical, spiritual, ethical, or societal medical issues. They linked this maturation to their maturation as a patient-care provider. Topics such as access to healthcare, the professional calling of a patient-care provider, giving the patient a voice, and exploring questions of meaning were emphasised. They attributed both intrapersonal aspects and meaningful experiences as playing a role in their maturation. One intrapersonal aspect they emphasised was the importance of giving a voice to ‘the other,’ for example by learning to be silent in order to listen more closely to what a patient or student had to say. ...learning how to be silent. I’m very articulate in certain ways and I can talk a mile. (… ) But I am disciplining myself to just listen and be silent. (S01) Another intrapersonal aspect they expressed was a growing awareness of the importance of societal issues for their functioning as a patient-care provider. ...over the years it’s become clear to me that in medicine, access to healthcare turns out to be very important for some people. And if you’re taking care of patients, you realise they don’t have access, then it brings up all the social and ethical issues. …I think I was always aware of them, but what I’m more aware of is the paramount importance of them. (S01)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw