Working Together in an Isolating Profession by Andrew Woods, DO
On paper, medicine seems filled with people. We round in teams, sit in crowded conference rooms and walk through busy hallways. Yet many of us can think of a moment during training or early practice when the work felt lonely, whether it was a tough family meeting, a complication that kept us awake at night or a stretch of call when the pager kept ringing and we quietly wondered,“ Is it just me who feels this way?”
Those moments highlight why peer support and mentorship aren’ t just“ add-ons” in our profession. They are just as vital to a sustainable career as clinical skills and medical knowledge.
Over the past several years, I have observed how much difference it makes when physicians have reliable support, and how costly it can be when they lack it. As our community reflects on the significance of peer support, it’ s worth considering: What really defines a great mentor? How can experienced physicians guide the next generation in a way that feels sincere and not performative? And how can early-career physicians build mentor relationships that go beyond just signing a form?
What makes a great mentor?
Many of us were taught to equate“ mentor” with being accomplished. We look for the person with the most publications, the highest title or the busiest clinic. But the qualities that define a truly great mentor are more about how they show up than what they have achieved.
1. Presence over performance.
Great mentors are completely present during the limited time they spend with you. They put their phone down, turn off the monitor and make it clear that, for whatever time they have, your challenges matter. You leave the conversation feeling seen.
2. Curiosity instead of assumptions. Rather than projecting their own careers onto you, they begin
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