Orientation - Why Bother

You may not have an orientation program at all at your hospital; the Army has basic training. We imagine that physicians come to the medical staff completely trained because we diligently check their credentials before admitting them to the staff. Your new physicians may be completely competent in the practice of medicine, but they are rookies in your hospital, with all of the fear and uncertainty that being a rookie entails. Many follow role models from medical school and training programs. Some eagerly anticipate substantial changes in their lives as they enter practice. Other new staff physicians may have been in practice for long periods of time at other institutions. They may be joining the staff with little enthusiasm under pressure from partners. They may have served at for-profit hospitals. They may believe that expressions of faith are inappropriate in practice. Some have a strong personal faith and want to express their faith in their work. Orientation is the first and best opportunity to align their goals with the hospital mission, allay their uncertainties and find appropriate models for them.