What teammates do

In the early hours yesterday, a nurse in the emergency department praised a resident physician who, after a busy night, was still at the desk writing orders for patients. “He’s been just terrific,” the nurse said of the resident. “We’ve been swamped. There were 15 admissions overnight, and he never complained. He just did what was necessary for the patients.”

It’s a small thing, acknowledging a good play by a colleague. Or is it?

You find plenty of “attaboy” moments in professional baseball. When the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants, 9-1, yesterday, the Dodgers lined up on the field to congratulate one another. There’s a photo on today’s major league baseball website, showing Luis Gonzalez high-fiving teammate Andre Ethier after the win.

As second baseman Brandon Phillips touched home plate yesterday, his Cincinnati Reds’ teammates Ken Griffey Jr., Ryan Freel,[1] and Adam Dunn were there to celebrate his grand slam at Shea Stadium. The Reds went on to beat the Mets, 8-4.

Some baseball players make minor rituals of their celebrations with choreographed series of slaps, waves, and fists. But players support their teammates with more than congratulations. They offer consolations too when performances are less than stellar.

Everyone has a bad day now and then, and athletes know it’s important to keep up their teammates’ spirits for the next time they take the field. The players are saying, in effect, “You’re good. Don’t worry. You’ll do better tomorrow.”
At yesterday’s Texas Ranger game, catcher Gerald Laird consoled pitcher Joaquin Benoit with a gentle fist to the stomach as Benoit prepared to leave the game in the ninth inning. The Los Angeles Angels beat the Rangers, 2-1.

How do we support our teammates? Do we high-five their achievements? Do we encourage them when they’re down?

A patient was promptly transported to the floor? “Way to go!”

A nurse took the time to show kindness to a confused or angry patient? “That was very nice of you.”

The environmental services staff responded appropriately to a spill? “Very good. Thanks!”

The room set-up took too long in the OR? “Hey, we’ll do better next time!”

Peer congratulations and encouragements are hardly unique to baseball players. They are the daily life of all athletes, amateur and professional. And they should be part of our daily life in health care too.


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[1] Ryan Freel played for the Syracuse Chiefs in the years 1998-2001.