Qualities necessary to be a Great Doctor
The qualities needed to be a great doctor fall into three categories:
HumanityScienceCommunications
Doctors work in so many specialized areas now that the proportions and depth of needed skills in each of these categories may vary. For example, a medical researcher must have a more profound scientific knowledge of his specialty than a family physician, and the latter must have more sensitivity to individual patient’s history and feelings. A medical specialist, like a surgeon or dermatologist, occupies a position somewhere between, requiring concentrated knowledge and interpersonal skills, while specialists like pathologists and radiologists more resemble researchers in primary needs.
In each instance, however, there is a need in each of the categories of qualities. The researcher must care about the consequences of research for his fellow humans and must be able to communicate findings orally and in writing to team members, peers, and providers of funds. Correspondingly, the family physician must understand and keep up with scientific developments to make accurate diagnoses and either select treatments or make appropriate referrals.
The qualities needed to be a great family or primary physician are of paramount interest to most of us because our contracts are most frequent with them. Here are some suggestions by category:
Humanity:
- A sincere interest in people and their welfare;
- An ability to listen and draw people out for explanation and elaboration;
- An accumulated knowledge of individuals’ backgrounds, problems, medical histories, and phobias; and
- An ability to put people at ease or convey seriousness, as appropriate.
Science:
- A broad, well rounded knowledge of medical science;
- An ability to keep up with major developments in specialties and, more intensively, in family practice;
- An acquaintance with leading specialists in one’s geographic area and, when necessary, in major medical centers; and
- Skill in diagnosis and selection of relevant treatments.
Communications:
An ability to make oneself understood to people of different levels of sophistication and comprehension;
- An ability to explain medical findings and diagnoses, available options for treatment, referrals, and likely prognoses; and
- Warmth in personal contact that conveys interest and caring.
Doctors are human, so many will fall short of this ideal combination. The great ones will have all these qualities, and they are out there.
