Thread by @DrEricLevi

I did an emergency case the other day with a senior anaesthetist. We’ve never worked together before. I know him because he has an outstanding reputation around the place and I assumed he does not know who I am. It was a potentially difficult intubation. 1/

As per my usual practice, I make myself available during difficult intubation as an adjunct. I walked into the induction room as he was getting the patient ready with his team.

I whispered, “I’m Eric, ENT Surgeon. I’m here in the corner if you need me.” 2/x

He replied, “I know who you are and I know that you will be here.”

He and his team worked on the challenging intubation. I stood there watching and just mesmerised by the artistic dance of the anaesthetic team. I made a few little cameo appearances in the dance. 3/

We got the difficult case done. He was managing his microteam. I was managing my microteam. The nurse was managing their microteam. We all worked silently around the patient. Each microteam know exactly what the other was doing. 4/x

Communication between and within teams was simple and clear. We all sang from the same song sheet. There were a lot of simple eye contacts, hand gestures and affirmations. We even managed to communicate in parallel about how life was in our various departments. 5/x

I’ve not worked with him. The nursing staff were not my usual team. This was an emergency case. But things went smoothly because the culture of the place was built over many years. There was the quiet respect of each other’s expertise areas. 6/x

One thing that I felt that I couldn’t pinpoint though, was the feeling I had when I work with a senior experienced anaesthetist, specialist, nurse, etc. There’s a sense of quiet grace. “I’ve seen everything and this does not worry me.”

But there was something more... 7/x

Perhaps it’s that inner personality or value cohesion/collaboration. I only know of this anaesthetist by reputation. We met and we immediately clicked. We shared the same values and thoughts. Similar communication and leadership styles. Similar approaches to patients. 8/x

Perhaps my presence in the induction room was enough for him to feel that I was a collaborator not an intruder.

Whatever it is, we immediately clicked and became a team within seconds. I work in 5 hospitals and with various teams everyday. I don’t often get that real click. 9/x

There’s a human element to teams that is critical to the running of the team. I enjoy that immediate connection I have with many of these senior specialists irrespective of gender. Somehow tapping into these “old souls” (respectfully said) is so exhilarating to me. 10/x

I have a few great mentors in my career. Most probably don’t know that they’re my mentors. Entering into a formal mentoring relationship often feel rather tedious to the mentor. Sometimes a heavy sense of obligation. 11/x

But in every stage of my career I identify a handful of people who I seek to emulate. I tap into their wisdom and experience. I ask questions beyond clinical challenges. I learn how they think and synthesise. I watch how they lead and communicate. 11/x

Like this anaesthetist I worked with. He probably only saw that he needed to get a job done.

I saw more. I got a lot out of this emergency case we did together. A lot more.

Here’s to all the amazing clinicians out there quietly influencing the future with their lives. 12/12.