We all leave behind a trail of unanswered questions in our day-to-day lives. 

As a doctor working in the boundless universe of things we can know to make us better doctors, asking questions at opportune moments is an advantage that can't be compensated for with publications and uptodate articles. 

In this podcast, we talk about Becc's accidental step out of her integrity when she let herself silence a clinical question that arose in her mind. 

There are many reasons any of us may not ask a question when it would otherwise be in our integrity to do so. 

It reveals our knowledge gaps 

We think we "should know this by now"

We think it's not acceptable not to know the answer 

We think we should learn it ourselves, on our own time

We don't want our colleagues to draw false assumptions about us 

We don't want our colleagues to draw true assumptions about us 

We assume people don't want to take time to answer questions 

We think asking the question is annoying 

We don't want others to feel frustrated with us 

We don't want to make others uncomfortable if they don't know the answer 

We would rather avoid any negative reaction

We decide it's not worth it if there's a possibility of a negative reaction 

We are uncomfortable taking up space

We are uncomfortable asking for others' time 

We don't think we have 'earned' the question 

And this is just a small sample of thoughts that can accidentally get in our way. 

There's another component too. 

Simply not being present and intentional. 

Being present and intentional are critical ingredients for creating change in our lives. This requires core skills of mindfulness and directing attention (focus). It also often requires some time spent in advance to decide what helpful rules you create for yourself in advance of opportunities. 

For example, you might decide in advance, like Becc, that you will err of the side of asking questions. In this case, the decision in the moment has been made simpler - I will ask my questions UNLESS there is an outstanding exception (say, time-critical situations). 

There's a lot to be said for setting intentions, especially when you consider biases of minds such as CONFIRMATION BIAS. 

If we set an intention of asking questions - and taking opportunities to ask more questions, we will register more opportunities in my day. Opportunities that may have been missed if we were prioritising other things. 

Have you ever suppressed or dismissed a clinical question that arose in your mind?

What do you think drove the suppression?

Let us know! We can't wait to talk with you about this one.