What is the key to becoming an outstanding radiation oncologist?

I am not sure that my life experience qualifies me to answer such a big question but in attempting to give you my opinion, I have drawn upon the behaviors and values of my mentors and others in the field who made a significant difference in the lives of their patients, colleagues, and students. If I...

We heard the usual: “Be a good person, an excellent physician, and an outstanding Radiation Oncologist”.

However, I believe there are other traits that help to achieve that laudable professional goal:

1. Honesty - It will enhance all interactions in personal and professional life.
2. Trustworthiness - As...

There was a time I'd have an answer for this - probably similar to many of the ones above.

But, as I've gone forward - cannot believe I've been practicing for this long now - the question is not defined well, as I have no idea what an "outstanding" radiation oncologist is. Or an outstanding doctor. ...

Having asked this question as a resident and now being mid-career, I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I agree with all of the previous advice and I would add 2 things:

1) Have the mantra- "the person sitting in front of me at this very moment is the most important person in the world righ...

Henry Kaplan, who was my mentor and probably the greatest pure intellect in the history of ALL radiology, used to say that the most important ingredient for a good radiation oncologist was the judgment that came from being a good physician. I don’t know what you mean by “outstanding”. Obviously you ...

Drs. Rose and Katz are spot on. My motto is that humor is armor. Integrity and honesty are fundamental - tell it like it is: to yourself, to your colleagues, to your patients (do I give Howard Cosell credit here?). Honesty includes being critical and skeptical - trust but verify (ok, I'll give Presi...

I agree with everything @Dr. First Last so eloquently said. I would suggest two additional attributes:

1. Humility: Failure is inevitable, and humility allows us to be open to learning from our mistakes. Arrogance is also a barrier to the free flow of information between doctors and other health profe...

All very insightful thoughts..............would just add that, as physicians and radiation oncologists, we should always take the time and effort to listen to each and everyone of our patients. What are they really trying to tell us, verbally and/or nonverbally? What are their concerns? How is their...

I agree with all of the wonderful conceptual advice offered above.

Something very simple and easily achievable that I like to share with my residents is that the good radiation oncologists know their radiologists and speak with them frequently. It may sound trite, but reviewing complex imaging findi...

Take charge of your clinical schedule. Meet with your care team daily to review the schedule before the clinic begins. Tell schedulers when tests and subsequent clinic visits should be done rather than relying on "next available". Review imaging personally. Get test results back to patients immediat...

To all these excellent responses, I'd add, in the search for a job where you hope and expect to make a difference and practice the form of medicine you see yourself doing, ensure the administration has your back. This may be one of the more frustrating elements of being the most effective radiation ...

My first mentor was Bob Sagerman, who simply said, "When you go home each day, make sure that you have been the best doctor you could have been." That means, as others have said, even when you fail, if you can be confident that you have tried your best, that is all anyone can ask of you. Learn from ...

Excellent answers all.

Bottom line: First be a good person.

So many fine thoughts so well articulated. Being in a relatively advanced stage of my career, I am still a student. I would add one thing that Dr. @Dr. First Last, one of my mentors, taught me: "Don't miss".