Why Did She Get Fired From Her Residency?

Session 183

In today’s episode, we talk about something in the news recently about a neurology resident in Miami who got fired from her job because of her belligerent behavior. This resident attacked an Uber driver, and it was caught on video and posted on YouTube.

This story sparked a lot of discussion. Should she be fired or allowed to go back to work? What is the role of the physician out of the workplace? Today we wanted to talk about our roles as physicians and what is acceptable behavior from a physician.

We are now in an age where everything is recorded, so you need to be aware of everything you’re doing as you go down this path. To anyone considering a career as a physician, this is important stuff.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

What makes this situation different with her being a physician?

Physicians are held to a higher standard.
Yes, we’re humans, but you can’t lose your cool in a public place.
Once you step out of your house, you no longer have the freedom to act in a way that is belligerent.
The resident’s behavior was criminal, although she was not charged for assault.
As soon as you put on a white coat or participate in clinical care, this society holds you to a higher standard.

As soon as you put on a white coat or participate in clinical care, this society holds you to a higher standard.Click To Tweet

Should she have been fired from residency for one bad 10-minute clip?

This puts the hospital in a sticky situation, as people can easily look up doctors online.
As much you would like to turn the clock back, you can’t.
There are mistakes you can’t come back from.

Don’t get fired from residency!

Be aware that everything you’re doing can be recorded and watched.
- Assume someone is watching.
Be a human being.
Don’t act crazy.
- If you’re going to act crazy, do it in the privacy of your own home.
Your social media posts can come back to haunt you.
- Be very aware of your privacy settings.
You can’t live in fear your whole life, but you also want to be mindful of what you’re putting out there.
When you get a job as a physician, you’ll be taking confidentiality training.
Be careful about stuff like posting weird X-rays or CT scan images online. You could be in trouble if the patient can recognize it as theirs.

You can't live in fear your whole life, but you also want to be mindful of what you're putting out there.Click To Tweet

[Related episode: Why Should I Be Careful on Social Media?]

Some pieces of advice for premed students

Being a physician is more than a job. It’s a calling—a part of your identity as a human being. It’s part of who you are, and you don’t want to compromise that. Whether you like it or not, physicians are held to a higher standard.