Why do Doctors need to socialize?

6 min read | Think Tank

Why do Doctors need to socialize?

Written by Nirja Shah & Priyanka Mehta

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Peek into:

Introduction
Common mistakes to avoid
Pitfalls
Excerpts from Tejashree Limaye’s Interview

“I don’t know how to approach them” is something we have all heard or colleagues say or have experienced ourselves while trying to connect with a fellow professional. Networking may feel uncomfortable, even selfish at times, but is it the case? What is the point, you ask? Let us first break down what networking is.

It allows you to build relationships with others that end up symbiotically benefit both (or multiple) parties in their respective fields. In simple words, the goal of networking is to build a professional network: a group of people who would do you a favour, and who you would do a favour for. Many times, it purely acts as an opportunity to meet and get inspiration from other like-minded individuals.

Many people misinterpret networking as selling yourself to the world in order to succeed.

For some, the thought of talking to strangers fills them with dread. Regardless of how unappealing the characteristics associated with networking may appear, networking is what allows you to build a brand value for yourself. It is more than just bragging about your accomplishments and listening to others.

“Instead of better glasses, your network gives you better eyes.”
-Ronald Burt

**Correspondence strengthens not only bonds but also opportunities.**

In our profession we are a small tight-knit community, and unlike other professions, our new job opportunities are not widely advertised; at these times, one learns about upcoming opportunities through people with whom one corresponds. Getting noticed and having more people to know about you is critical for your career advancement as more referrals may come your way and people will seek your assistance.

In India, we place a high value on word of mouth and follow a referral-based system, so your patient will prefer to see a physiotherapist recommended by his doctor rather than one found on Practo, Nightingale, or other websites.

So we’ve established that networking puts you and your company in a good position to build a good reputation, but one can also reap the benefits of networking by sharing cases and ideas, discussing practice management challenges, disseminating research, or engaging in health advocacy. Beyond the confines of a clinical setting, having diversity in your network can help you think outside the box by allowing for the constant exchange of diverse ideas. This will provide you with an entirely new set of possibilities to investigate.

A broader perspective will thus provide new ideas for newer, better ventures that you would not have considered otherwise.

The opportunity to gather new information is an often-overlooked benefit of networking, as it’s not the most obvious one, but it also offers career progression and development.

I remember thinking to myself as a final-year student, “Do I want to stay in India or move abroad?” What courses might I be able to pursue? Which program is best for me? What would be my next steps in the application process? What is it like to work in clinical practice there?

And, at first, all I had to go on were the opinions of my seniors; it was then that I began connecting with people from all over the world on Linkedin. It was intimidating at first, and I was unsure how to strike up a conversation with them, but they were all very approachable, and today I have three PowerPoint presentations ready to make a decision. I discovered that many courses that appeared appealing on their website were not the best fit for me by speaking with people who were taking the courses.

Not all of us will want to continue in a clinical setting after graduating:

Some of us would prefer research, management, or an entirely different career path. Such a situation can become daunting very quickly if you do not have the right mentors to guide you whilst showing opportunities that are available.

Common mistakes to avoid

All about the show
We often find ourselves being carried away when we are amidst stronger & influencing personalities. It is common to get caught up in appearances and keeping up facades. It becomes difficult to be in the moment and stay focused on your path. When this happens, the quality of our conversations and the content that we put forth becomes superficial. It is important to build relationships on deeper and genuine foundations because that’s what will matter in the big picture.
Being selfish
Networking relationships are between two or more people. A common mistake that young individuals make in the early stage of their lives is constantly focussing on the “I”s. Relationships are not “I” centred. Being selfish in a relationship can be a put off for most people and drops our reputation on the social ladder. The easiest way to avoid this is to be a better listener.

Be more inquisitive about your connections’ interests. This not only eases the pressure on you to put your best self forward in the conversations but also leaves an impression of you being considerate and thoughtful.
Being a no-show
It is easy to start a relationship but rather difficult to maintain one. You might make several relationships with people across social media, events, and ex-colleagues but do not treat these people like dusty-old books on a bookshelf. Following up is key to maintaining long-term professional relationships. This helps your connections to believe that you value their presence in your network. Positive emotions such as this help seal your impression forever.

Pitfalls

1. Time-consuming

Although networking has several advantages, it can be quite tedious. Building relationships is like growing a plant. You need to sow the seed and nurture it regularly to bear fruit. It is not an overnight process. It may often take years to build a strong professional network that can benefit you significantly.

2. It is uncertain

You may have 500+ connections on LinkedIn, but are they all really benefiting you in some way? How many of them have you managed to actually build a relationship with? It is important to remember that networking is about quality, not quantity. It is better to have 50 strong connections than 500 weak ones who do not influence you. To achieve this though, you may have to connect with several people to figure out who you want to maintain a bond with. The uncertainty can get frustrating at times but the bigger picture is far more rewarding.

3. Not a magic pill

Unlike the so-called exercise-mimetic pill, networking has no magic pill, unfortunately. There is no shortcut to networking. While technology progresses and methods of networking change, the true essence lies in fostering relationships authentically.

While you understand this, it is also important to realize that networking in itself is not a magic pill. Building a strong web of networks does not guarantee success but will definitely help aid it.

Networking can mean different things to everyone. When I network, I often think about how I can help the other person instead of how they can help me. I know, this sounds too philosophical but it works wonders! Be genuinely willing to help others, genuinely is the keyword here!

I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” – Dr. Tejashree Limaye

It takes time and experience to develop networking abilities. Even long-time professionals must continue to hone their methods as they learn what to say and how to act in their efforts to make meaningful connections with others.

Excerpts from Tejashree Limaye’s Interview

When and where did you graduate from?
I completed my BPTh (2013) and MPTh (2016) from K J Somaiya College of Physiotherapy.
What inspired you to start PT career paths?
Since my college days, I used to wonder what is next for me in my career. When I looked up this information online I did not find a dedicated career resource for physiotherapists in India.
When I came to the US I saw resources available for PTs in the US that help to navigate through their career. I felt the need for similar resources in India, but until 2021, I kept thinking ‘Somebody should do this. In 2021, I decided ‘I am going to do this!’
Hence I created PT career paths to provide Career Guidance for Physiotherapists in India.
What were some hardships you faced at the beginning of the blog?
The most challenging part from the beginning until now is making time for my website. I work as a clinical physiotherapist in an outpatient clinic and I have a 2-year-old. This, in addition to the housework and blog work, makes up for a pretty tight schedule.
I need to be mindful of how I spend my time to make things work. Planning and scheduling my calendar weeks in advance helps me be more efficient.
How do you sieve profiles to feature on your page?
There is no single formula that applies to all spotlight features. I met and know these people from different walks of my professional life. I select my spotlight features based on their career profile.
Can you give us some tips as fresh graduates to broaden our web of the network?
Networking can mean different things to different people. When I network, I often think about how I can help the other person instead of how they can help me. I know, this sounds too philosophical but it works wonders! Be genuinely willing to help others, genuinely is the keyword here!

What’s the best medium to connect with fellow PTs and maintain that network?
Leverage social media to work for you! One of the strongest advantages of social media is you can connect with someone from any part of the world. I feel telecommunication services such as Zoom, Webex, and WhatsApp have brought the world so much closer together!
In my opinion, the most effective way of forming a connection is to meet someone in person. As much as I love meeting people personally, I seldom get the opportunity to do so since I live miles away. So if you can meet someone individually, don’t miss out on that opportunity.
As far as maintaining the network, the general rule of thumb is don’t burn the bridges as you go ahead!
When, according to you, is the best time for young therapists to start networking?
Right from your college years and continue as you grow professionally.
What approach works best for you to reach out to your potential networks?
I think this particular answer would perfectly sum up what I have been saying throughout:
1. Be genuinely willing to help others.
2. There is no one size fits all formula when it comes to approaching
people.
3. Leverage social media to work for you.