Which would you hire?

[George K]

Poll seen on Twitter (posted by a doc).

Which surgeon would you choose as new partner:

1. Empathetic worst resident
2. Jerk best resident

[LuFins Dad]

Jerk Best Resident.

Now, add a P to Resident and ask the same question…

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad LOL.

In the poll, there is at least one interesting response: "Neither. Start over."

I would ask, "Jerk to whom, patients or colleagues?"

However, the results:

[Horace]

Best is a qualifier that would override jerk or empathetic. They need to use their words more carefully.

[Copper]

Golf Rule #8

Course Played as It Is Found

Just answer the question.

[Renauda]

I’d take the competent jerk. Chances are he or she may will always maintain competency and skill and, as a bonus, might even mellow out over time and become less of a jerk.

On the other hand neither affable empathy with good thoughts and prayers will ever deal with treating a medical emergency or life threatening illness.

[George K]

@Renauda I agree. Purely from a business/risk standpoint, I'd never hire someone whom I see as a potential liability, regardless of how "nice" s/he is.

[Doctor Phibes]

There's also a fairly decent chance that the 'empath' is a jerk deep down. In my experience they frequently are, so then you get the worst of both worlds.

[George K]

I found it a bit ironic that a surgeon was calling out another surgeon for being a "jerk."

[Mik]

Both are flawed choices. But I’d go for the better surgeon.

[jon-nyc]

The one with the biggest tits.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in Which would you hire?:

The one with the biggest tits.

I haven't thought about that joke in years.

[Mik]

He has a point. The hirer is unlikely to ever use the surgical skills. The tits are another matter entirely.