Student Response to the "Help Me With This Difficult Conversation" Post

No one likes to have difficult conversations, but as students, we need to hear them. We look to our preceptors to help mold us into professional pharmacists. When having crucial conversations with students, it is important to remember that we are here to learn, and the following suggestions will facilitate our growth.

Have the difficult conversation right away. By waiting to give feedback or have crucial conversations, you are preventing the implementation of changes that can get our focus back on learning.

Guide us through the conversation. Having crucial conversations is new for us. We are taught how to have crucial conversations in the classroom, just like we are taught antibiotics or heart failure guidelines, but implementing the concepts comes with practice.

See both perspectives. As students, our lives are busy and sometimes chaotic. We are still learning organization and prioritization skills. Defensive reactions during feedback sessions may stem from feeling overwhelmed. By understanding our perspective, you can help us with more significant change.

Explain the issue. We may not understand why our action or communication was inappropriate or how to improve in the future.

Don't go easy on us. If you find a behavior unprofessional, so will our future employers and colleagues. It is imperative to make the changes now.

Finally, remember you were once in our shoes. You had uncomfortable conversations with preceptors or colleagues. How did they help you succeed? What can you do to help us succeed?