Medical school advisors often find themselves having to help medical students navigate seemingly conflicting messages about wellness, learning & career decision making. This issue is pervasive across all of UME & is not unique to AMS. We promote student well-being, yet deliver curricula that leave little time for self-care. We warn against “premature closure” in specialty decision making, yet stress the importance of specialty-specific research early on in medical school. While there may be value in each of the messages that students receive, we run the risk of students turning away from trusted advisors to less accurate, & more stress-inducing, sources if they perceive themselves as having been misled. Using the advising expertise of participants, this interactive workshop will help participants address & “reframe” some common conflicting messages that students receive in medical school.

“Reframing” ideas or messages involves making changes to the particular meaning that individuals attach to them. Common techniques for reframing include challenging assumptions, addressing emotions, & taking alternate perspectives. This workshop will identify specific mixed messages that have a direct impact on the experience of medical students, & ask participants to apply reframing techniques to each of them. The reframing process will allow advisors to “own” the apparent conflicts, to better reassure & advise students, & to establish more truthful and trusting relationships with all learners.