Nothing makes a new medical student more nervous than answering a series of medical questions from their attending, known as pimping.
There is a definite art to the tactic. Ask too many questions based in triviality, it can be interpreted as intimidating. However, used correctly, it can be a valuable learning tool.
Over at orthopedic blog Them Bones, we have a detailed history of medical pimping (via Life in the Fast Lane). There are some interesting observations, including that, “Many times pimping is used as a way for an attending to show his/her knowledge. Knowledge is power. Pimping sets the hierarchy.”
Various pimping techniques are given, along with how to defend them. But in the end, pimping is a game, with the attending “controlling the many of the parameters of play,” and, “with time, a learner will develop both a knowledge base and thought process.”
Attendings shouldn’t lose sight of the overall goal of the exercise, which is to educate students.
Internist Rob Centor, a master pimper with 30 years of ward experience, gives his thoughts on the subject and explains the mindset behind the questions he asks.
Related posts:
- My take: Patient tips, questioning tests
- So you’re starting a surgery rotation
- How are residents supposed to learn?
- Surgical co-management
- Aggressive organ procurement
- An ER resident opens his eyes to defensive medicine
- UK’s P4P from the front lines
{ 2 comments }
to be sure, if done correctly pimping can be a useful learning exercise…
i found that all too often it seemed to be the pimper asking detailed questions about something they just happened to have read up on recently, so they can feel better about themselves.
Reminds me of a list we used to keep. It was called the “pimp daddy list” and it was both comical and intimidating at the same time.
Comments on this entry are closed.