Introduction
Navigating the complexities of medical practice while managing personal career growth can be daunting. One of the key tools at your disposal for ensuring continual growth and success is the development of SMART goals. But what makes some goals succeed while others falter? Often, the difference lies in how these goals are structured.
The Pitfalls of Vague Goals
Many doctors set goals that are vague, unrealistic, unmeasurable, or unrelated to their main objectives. A common issue is the absence of specificity and a clear timeline. For instance, a goal to "improve surgical skills" is admirable but lacks clarity and a means to measure progress.
The SMART Framework
SMART goals offer a solution to these common goal-setting pitfalls. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework ensures that goals are well-defined and attainable.
1. Specific: Goals should be clear and concise. Instead of aiming to "improve patient care," consider a specific objective. Avoid terms like “improve” or “increase” – these are usually not specific enough.
Example : I will learn to perform intubations in theatre under supervision by an anaesthetist or senior doctor, and request written feedback for all of them
2. Measurable: The best kinds of goals can be definitively completed. Many goals that fail have unclear measurements (for example, “I will be able to do them well” – what does “well” mean?)
Being measurable means it is easier to identify when the task is complete, and enables you to track your progress. Ask yourself how you will know that you’ve met your objective?
Also, consider whether someone else could also identify this, and if you’d be aligned – this is a good sign your definition is objective enough.
Example – I will successfully intubate 50 people under supervision by an anaesthetist on the first attempt, and request written feedback for all of them
3. Achievable: Make your goals achievable, giving you a chance to completing them. This is important because failure to achieve goals can be demoralising.
Ask yourself if you believe there is a better than 75% chance of achieving the milestone. Do you have access to the right opportunities, teachers, time, equipment?Also beware of setting goals which are heavily influenced by factors out of your control.
Example : I will successfully intubate at least 10 people under supervision by an anaesthetist on the first attempt, and request written feedback for all of them.
4. Relevant: The goals should align with your broader career objectives and scope of practice.
Is this the right time to do this? Do you have the requisite experience, knowledge or skills to be able to do this now?
Example : I will successfully intubate at least 10 adults with presumed normal airways under supervision by an anaesthetist on the first attempt, and request written feedback for all of them.
5. Time-bound: Assign a clear timeline. Allocating a timeframe to your tasks makes it much more likely that you’ll turn your attention to it. You can stage these timeframes too, to make it easier to hit your targets.
Example : I will successfully intubate at least 10 adults with presumed normal airways under supervision by an anaesthetist on the first attempt, and request written feedback for all of them. I will aim to do 5 by March 1st, and a further 5 by June 1st
Conclusion
Incorporating SMART goals into your Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP) is essential for measurable, attainable success in the medical field. By defining your objectives with specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and a time frame, you can effectively track your progress and stay motivated.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let that step be a SMART one.
Further reading
Note: The examples and recommendations in this article are based on general principles and should be adapted to individual career paths and circumstances