That’s a Dumb Question!

You’ve heard it over and over again. “There is no such thing as a dumb question.” But is this true?

I am guessing most of us do not believe this to be true. We’ve all heard someone ask that question that makes us drop our jaw in awe. “Did they just really ask that?!?” “What did they mean by that question?” The type of questions one asks tend to speak volumes about them. Anyone can look up an answer but what they ask reveals their innermost thoughts. The “no such thing as a dumb question” statement is really intended to encourage engagement and question asking but I am not sure many people truly believe this. Even if there were no such thing as a dumb question, there is such a thing as an inappropriate question. That is usually evident by the receiver’s reaction. As premeds, med students, interns, residents and even attendings, you ask questions on a daily basis. Questions are very necessary for growth and understanding. Here are some question types we sometimes use that may leave an unintended negative judgement from the hearer of the question.

1. The Lazy Question: I’ll be the first to admit that I myself am guilty of this once in a while. We sometimes ask a basic question although the answer is sitting right in front of us. For example, after a long work week I will sometimes go to a restaurant. Instead of simply reading the menu, I sometimes ask the server to tell me what’s on there. Not cool. As a premed, if a professor has provided you with instructions on a project, it is best to read what he or she has given you before asking questions they have already answered. It is always appropriate to ask a question to clarify your understanding but unwise to ask something you have easy access to resolving on your own.

Quick Tip: Try to ask informed questions. These often open with, “You wrote that …” or “I see in your instructions …” or “In my reading, I noticed…”. This lets that person know you have done your research ahead of time.

2. Wrong Person Question: You probably shouldn’t ask a mechanic about the newest fashion trends or your grandmother about the newest rap group unless they are into those things. Although usually subtler, asking questions to the wrong person is very commonly done. As an attending, I am now more conscious of this but I am certain I was guilty of this one as well during my training. This is something you may also want to avoid when on the interview trail. You will have the opportunity to ask a ton of questions on each interview. You should not be asking your interviewer about fun things to do around campus or what books to buy. Reserve these types of questions for the students you meet.

Quick Tip: On the interview trail, make sure to categorize your questions based on who is best suitable to answer that question. Learn a little about that person and what they do if you want to impress them.

3. Poor Timing Question: Kids always say it, “Are we there yet?” This question can be rather annoying unless it is asked at the right time (when you really are almost there). If an instructor informs the audience that a particular area will be covered later in the lecture then questions on that topic should be reserved for that time otherwise that instructor will be doing a whole lot of repeating. This may bring frustration to the instructor who may be pressed for time as well as others around you.

Quick Tip: Patience is the key here. You may have a good question in mind but if it will likely be covered later then reserve it till then or ask it at the end. If you are not sure if they will cover it start the question by saying “You may cover this later…” or “Will you be discussing…”. Be respectful of that person’s time.

4. He/She Just Asked That Question: Pay attention. I always felt bad for students who repeated a question that was just asked in class because it made me think either (1) they were not listening in class or (2) they showed up late to class and missed the question. I suspect the professor was also thinking the same thing as was the person who asked the original question. It is completely understandable if this occurs once, but if a student consistently does this it’ll eventually hurt them.

Quick Tip: Simply pay attention. If you show up late for class or meeting and are not sure if your question was already asked, you may want to reserve it to the end or (if in the appropriate setting) ask your neighbor if it was already discussed.

5. I Don’t Want to Be Here Question: Be prepared, because throughout your training there will be plenty of places you do not want to be. Sometimes it will be because you are bored or sometimes it is because you would rather be elsewhere (like studying). You may be doing research, shadowing, or volunteering in something that does not interest you in the slightest bit. Your only way out sometimes seems to be by asking a question. I have watched so many of my colleagues get bad grades and evaluations because they appeared so disinterested in the rotation and solidified this by the type of questions they asked. “How long will this next case be?” “Do I need to be here the whole time?” Don’t get me wrong, if you really need to be elsewhere and are able to craft a good question that is fine but be wise about this because some people are more sensitive to this than others.

Quick Tip: Fake it till you make it. Many premeds give it away that they really don’t want to be there. This is part of life. Some of my best learning has taken place attending mandatory events or activities I really did not want to be at. You may be surprised that some of your thoughts were misconceptions. If your time will be better served elsewhere, be real with that person and tell them exactly why you need to be dismissed rather than being sly with a “I don’t want to be here”-type question.

And finally, just for laughs check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLt1HoAPniM

Written By Dr. Daniel

Image Credit Pixabay