Being a great doctor requires more than high test scores and knowledge of medical terms.
But what is a good doctor?
While it is a fact that once a doctor has proven his worth by passing medical school, he has the necessary work ethic and intelligence. In practice, a mix of skills is necessary to help with the application of medical science to patients.
Soft skills are personal attributes that allow someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Examples include: empathy, non-verbal communication, and listening skills.
On the other hand, hard skills are part of the set of skills required for a job, these are acquired through training, an example of a hard skill is analytical skills.
But what makes a good doctor?
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GOOD DOCTOR
Here are the lesser-known characteristics shared by the best physicians based on research by St. George’s University.
1. GOOD DOCTORS ARE GOOD COMMUNICATORS
“Being a good listener is essential to being a good doctor,” says Dr. John Madden, emergency physician and director of the Office of Career Guidance and Student Development at the College of St. George’s University Medicine (SGU). “Patients will tell you what’s wrong if you just let them talk.”
“BEING A GOOD LISTENER IS ESSENTIAL TO BEING A GOOD DOCTOR.”
2. GOOD DOCTORS ARE ORGANIZED AND CONSCIOUS
Children are taught from an early age to practice organization to be successful in school. And for good reason: you can’t be successful in medicine without the presence of mind and attention to detail.
“A physician must ensure that their patients receive the recommended screening tests, that their questions are answered, and that patients have a clear plan of action when leaving their office,” says Dr. Doggett.
“THEY MUST BE ATTENTIVE TO MONITOR THE TESTS THAT ARE PERFORMED AND COMMUNICATE THOSE RESULTS.”
3. GOOD DOCTORS ARE EMPATHIC AND MAKE PATIENTS FEEL CARED
Patients don’t care about their doctor’s grades in medical school or other accolades. They want to feel that they are in good hands. A good doctor knows how to make a patient feel cared for, that their concerns are valid, and that they are listened to.
However, apart from this, there is the ABC of the good doctor. Which portrays the attributes that every professional must have both in his person and in his daily practice.
The ABCs of being a good doctor
A: Attentive (to the needs of the patient), analytical (of himself), authoritarian, advisory, accessible and assuring.
B: Benevolent and relentless seeker for answers.
C: Loving, competent, compassionate, trusting, creative, communicative, comforting, conscientious, cooperative, and cultured
D: Detective (a good doctor is like a good detective) determined and delicate.
E: Ethical, empathetic, effective, efficient, energetic and enthusiastic
F: Loyal to your patients and flexible
G: Generous and always gentle.
H: a “human being”, honest, humorous and humble.
I: intellectual, investigative, impartial and informative.
J: Judicious and jovial.
L: Loyal.
M: Mature and modest.
N: Noble and natural.
O: Optimistic, objective and observant.
Q: Professional, patient, positive, and persuasive.
P: Thoughtful; questions himself (thoughts, beliefs, decisions and actions)
A: Realistic, respectful (of autonomy) and above all, responsible.
S: Sensitive, wise and simple when it comes to addressing great concepts to patients.
T: Tolerant, hard-working and calm.
V: vigilant and truthful.
And you, do you practice it?
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