For resident physicians—particularly those who are relatively recent medical school graduates—the team dynamics of the patient-care setting in residency can feel daunting.
A psychiatrist and founder of Mississippi Psychiatry and Wellness, Avani Patel, MD, MHA, is an award-winning team player. Literally. As a psychiatry resident at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Patel received the Scott Rodgers Interprofessional Teamwork Award in 2022.
“Your first instinct might be to act like you know it all—or like you know nothing,” she said. “Neither works. You’ve got to lead with confidence but stay humble. The people around you are your greatest resource if you take the time to listen.”
How can resident physicians lead with confidence while earning the respect of interprofessional teammates? Dr. Patel offered these tips.
Acknowledge expertise
As the physician, you are at the head of the care team, but you’re also surrounded by nurses, social workers, medical assistants, respiratory therapists and many others who each contribute in their own way to patients’ health outcomes. And they are not rookies.
“You’re stepping into your role as a physician, but you have to understand that many of these nurses and essential staff members have been doing this for decades,” Dr. Patel said. “Acknowledging that can go a long way. I said something like ‘I know I've spent a lot of time learning in the books. But you have seen patients, you've been around patients all day, every day. And I haven’t done as much of that. I recognize that.”
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Introduce yourself
As basic as it might seem, getting to know your team members can get lost in the chaotic pace of a workday. Dr. Patel said an introduction in your early interactions is a vital step toward developing cohesion.
“I introduced myself as Dr. Patel to every team member, from nurses to med techs to social workers,” said Dr. Patel, an AMA member. “It’s not about pulling rank; it’s about clarity and professionalism. Then I made sure I understood not just their job titles, but how they saw their roles in patient care.”
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Listen
Actively listening to the insights of your teammates can help foster collaboration, Dr. Patel said.
“Even if someone has a different role, their observations are critical,” Dr. Patel said. “I’d ask, ‘How are you doing? How are the patients? Do you have any concerns?’ And that was for everyone—nurses, med techs, social workers. When they feel heard, they start to trust you, and they’ll have your back when it matters most.”
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Explain decisions
Health care isn’t always an exercise in universal agreement. Dr. Patel shared a story of diffusing potential conflict by explaining her clinical rationale to a senior nurse who suggested she prescribe a patient a certain medication.
“I went to the unit, and I spoke with her. I remember saying, ‘Look, you know, I fully understand, and I hear you, but I’m not comfortable doing this, and this is why.’ And I don’t have to explain myself, but by doing that she conveyed her appreciation of being heard saying, ‘No, I understand. It’s your license, and you have to make the call.’”
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Remain open-minded
Final decisions for patient care rest with the physician, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be open to suggestions. Dr. Patel shared a moment from her intern year when a nurse flagged something unusual about a patient struggling to drink water.
“A nurse told me that I might want to go back to the patient and ask him to drink a glass of water,” Dr. Patel said. “It didn’t say this anywhere in the history during admission, but when I went back to check in on the patient, he was drinking water with tremoring hands. In that moment, I realized he was an alcoholic who was very likely in early withdrawal and needed to be on medication to prevent further complications such as seizing on the unit.”
