How to Handle a Difficult Supervisor in Medical School

I believe you and I have had our fair share of people who are a little “difficult” to deal with. They fret about nearly everything… they’re easily angered, hard to please, and often lack empathy or the ability to see things from another person’s perspective. It’s their way or the highway.

When such individuals are in positions of authority, working under their supervision can be quite unbearable. In the hospital setting—particularly for a medical student—it only adds to the massive pressure we’re already under.

So how do we navigate this conundrum without falling apart under the weight of a stern supervisor’s hefty demands?

Let's get into it!

The first step in surviving (and even thriving) under a tough supervisor is to understand why they are the way they are. Many stern supervisors—especially consultants and registrars—operate under intense stress. Their daily responsibilities involve life-and-death decisions, endless paperwork, teaching duties, and often, little to no rest. While it doesn’t excuse poor behavior, it gives context to it.

Additionally, the medical hierarchy is steeped in tradition. Many current supervisors were trained under even harsher conditions and tend to adopt the same mindset: "If I went through it, so should you." Knowing this doesn’t change your situation, but it can soften your personal frustration and help you approach the problem with empathy, not resentment.

It’s tempting to match a supervisor’s snappy tone with your own sarcasm or attitude—don’t.

Professionalism is your shield. You can’t control their mood or personality, but you can control how you respond. Use respectful language, maintain eye contact (unless that feels confrontational), and avoid public arguments or displays of frustration.

Golden rule: Be respectful, even when they’re not. Your dignity is not theirs to damage.

This is easier said than done, especially when a supervisor humiliates you in front of your peers. But here’s the truth: Their behavior is a reflection of them—not you.

Many medical students fall into the trap of internalizing harsh feedback, believing they’re unintelligent or inadequate. This mindset is toxic and unfair to your efforts.

Learn to seperate feedback from delivery. Strip their anger from their message—if there’s something to improve, take the note. If not, let the comment fall to the floor.

Every difficult supervisor has their pet peeves—those little things that seem to set them off like a ticking bomb.

Whether it's tardiness, sloppy case presentations, incomplete clerking, or not knowing a drug's mechanism of action, identifying their "triggers" gives you power. Once you know what they expect (or can’t tolerate), you can stay one step ahead.

Tip: Keep a mental list of “things that tick them off” and quietly avoid them.

Keep Your Notes (and Receipts)

If a supervisor is particularly aggressive, forgetful, or prone to contradicting themselves, documentation can save your life.

Keep a small notebook or digital log of:

• Instructions they give you
• Cases or tasks assigned
• Times and dates of critical interactions

Not only does this help you stay organized, but in the rare event you’re called out unfairly, you’ll have a paper trail to back you up.

You’re not the only one going through it. Talk to other students in your rotation, or those who’ve worked with the same supervisor before. Venting in a healthy, respectful environment is not gossiping—it’s therapeutic. Sometimes you’ll discover valuable survival strategies others are using.

Also, talk to interns, nurses, or junior doctors who’ve interacted with the supervisor. They might offer insights that you’d otherwise miss.

You’re not alone, even if it feels like you are.

Find Out What They *Do* Respect

Even the hardest supervisors respect certain traits—competence, clarity, humility, punctuality, self-initiative.

While it’s not your job to win their affection, knowing what earns their respect can help you survive and possibly thrive in their presence.

Some respond well when students:

• Present concisely and confidently
• Admit when they don’t know something
• Ask smart, relevant questions

This doesn't mean you have to change your personality. Just be aware of what behaviors are rewarded and adjust strategically.

A little self-deprecating humor, a light joke (never at their expense), or a warm smile can sometimes disarm a tense interaction Of course, this depends on the supervisor’s temperament, so use this sparingly and with tact.

If done right, it may create a small opening for them to see you as a human being—not just a student in the firing line.

One of the biggest traps students fall into is trying to “earn” the favor of a tough supervisor. But approval is a moving target—especially with someone who’s unpredictable.

Instead, make it your mission to learn—to absorb skills, apply knowledge, and grow.

You are there to train, not to please.

Every experience, even the unpleasant ones, is shaping your resilience and your competence. This mindset helps you take back your power.

While most of this article is about surviving with grace, there are limits.

If a supervisor crosses professional boundaries—uses abusive language, threatens students, or consistently humiliates you—you have the right to report. Talk to your clinical coordinator, student rep, or a faculty advisor.

Document incidents carefully. You are not “soft” for speaking up—you are standing for dignity and safety.

It’s not weak to admit you're overwhelmed. Constant tension, fear, and emotional distress from dealing with a hostile supervisor can cause burnout and anxiety.

Here's how to protect your mental health:

• Journal your experiences – writing helps process and release emotions.
• Pray – spiritually grounding yourself is powerful.
• Talk to a mentor or counselor – they can give you coping strategies or intervene if needed.
• Detach after hours – once you leave the hospital, leave emotionally too. Don’t let their voice live rent-free in your head all night.

You are not a sponge. Don’t soak in their poison.

Difficult supervisors may leave a bad taste in your mouth, but they do not define your future. Many amazing doctors were once discouraged medical students who were told they “wouldn’t make it.”

Hold on.

Remember why you started. Keep your head up, your heart intact, and your eyes on the prize. This season is just a chapter in your story—not the whole book.

And when you’re a supervisor someday—be the one they remember with gratitude, not fear.