Auntie Version - MSKMag's Agony Aunt - February 2025
Hello! I’m Auntie Version (aka Jo Turner) and I am unbelievably excited to be MSKMag’s very own agony aunt.
Oh the arrogance in my assumption that I have any wisdom to impart about your life, and the irony that much of my advice will implore you to resist that clinician’s urge to fix and advise! Nevertheless, I do hope you’ll find this column informative, thought-provoking, occasionally amusing and that you’ll find some helpful tips amongst my best guesses and opinions.
Dear Auntie Version,
Lots of therapists talk about needing ‘patient mileage’ before you really get good at treating people. When will I be experienced enough to be good?
Yours, Cautious Driver
Dear Cautious,
Yes, that’s a phrase used a lot in our profession isn’t it. I’m interested to know, what do you define as ‘good’?
Being able to get every patient that walks in the door 100% better?
Being able to provide a specific and correct diagnosis for every condition that you encounter?
Being able to provide an answer, backed up by latest evidence to every question you are presented with?
I’m being facetious, but everyone’s definition of good is different. Of course there’s a bottom line in terms of safety and competency, but clinicians do have a tendency to set a very high bar for themselves.
A better question might be,
“When will I feel good enough?”
The answer might be something like,
“When I’m rarely phased to the point that I can’t make a start with any patient I encounter in a typical week. I know I’ll need to consult colleagues or do some learning when more complex or unusual cases come along - and I’m okay with that because I know it’s the same for everyone.”
Your definition of ‘good enough’ might be different; try to make it personal, meaningful and achievable.
It’s very likely that more patients under your belt will get you closer to ‘good enough.’ How many patients and how long will that take? Of course that’s personal too!
Dear Auntie Version,
I love the team I work in but feel ready to progress and there aren't any opportunities here right now. I'm not sure whether to start looking elsewhere or stay here. Is it true that the grass is always greener?
Yours, Dreamer
Dear Dreamer,
There’s a lot to unpack in your first sentence. Firstly, you love the team you work in: trust me, not everyone says that, and many people are looking for it. But let’s just bank that for now.
You feel ready to progress but there aren’t any opportunities in your current workplace. How clear are you on exactly how you want to progress?
What do you want to be doing that you aren’t currently?
What support might you need in that new role?
What resources might you need?
Why do you want this opportunity? What will be the benefits?
You may have already asked yourself these questions (if not, it might be a good starting point).
Having clarity in these areas will help in a number of ways:
You will become very clear on whether you really want this change, and why.
You may find that in fact there is an opportunity in your current workplace.
The answers may give you information to present to your current employer to see if they might be keen to develop the role you’re seeking. Remember they’ll want to know how this might also benefit their service and outcomes for patients.
If you do decide you need to look elsewhere, you’ll have created a filter through which to consider other opportunities and a clear set of requirements.
Is it true that the grass is always greener? Good question. I’d say, make an honest assessment of how green your grass actually is, and what greener grass would look like. And with acceptance that we can never completely risk assess these decisions, the grass (whether on your current or your future lawn) will look better in some seasons than others, and can always be enhanced with a bit of love and attention.
Dear Auntie Version,
I seem to be encountering people who are citing being offended when I disagree with their clinical opinion, even as far as saying it is unprofessional. I don't believe I have been either. Is this a me thing or a them thing? Should I change my behaviour?
Yours, Baffled
Dear Baffled,
‘Unprofessional’ - a word widely used and abused in our profession.
Is it unprofessional to question someone’s clinical opinion in service of improving patient care? I think most people would say not.
Is it unprofessional of you to question someone’s clinical opinion because it serves your ego, i.e. it makes you look smarter than them? I wouldn’t say it’s unprofessional, I would suggest it’s unkind and unproductive.
Is there a right and wrong way to go about questioning someone’s clinical opinion? Yes, absolutely.
I would consider asking,
What outcome am I seeking?
When is the most productive time to address this?
How can I let them know that I am curious and searching for better outcomes, rather than just telling them my opinion, or looking for them to justify theirs?
If we can’t agree, how will we manage this?
Is it a you thing or a them thing? In any interaction, isn’t it always both?
Should you change your behaviour? If you are confident in your motivations but your current approach isn’t serving that, then maybe there is an argument for a change in approach. In my opinion, our profession would definitely benefit from more robust and respectful debate, but both of those Rs are important.
If you’d like Auntie Version to address something that’s on your mind in the next column, you can submit your problem anonymously here or email jo@mehab.co.uk.
We can’t promise that every question will be featured or responded to directly but we’ll do our best to address common themes.
If there is something you’d like to explore more deeply through 1:1 coaching with (Jo) please go to www.mehab.co.uk and book a free call.
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