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What qualities make a good doctor
What do you think?
Dalhousie Medical School is committed to developing a brand new curriculum for its MD program. An important first step is to determine what are the essential qualities we must develop in our medical students - so that when they graduate, they’ll be well on their way to becoming good doctors. |
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We want to hear from you, as a member of the general public and as a health care consumer. Let us know what qualities you most value in your family physician or specialist. And do you think physicians of the future will have to have new or additional skills we might not be teaching them today?
Please fill out the comments box below. Thank you for taking the time to share your suggestions with us
Tom Marrie, M.D.
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Dalhousie University |
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Responses
December 8, 2009
Although I do believe it is very important to place emphasis on empathy, understanding, well-roundedness and the like, as a patient, I feel that it is equally important to promote academic excellence, especially within the sciences. Somehow science (and the educational level that physicians have attained within the sciences) seems to be valued less as time progresses. As a patient I take comfort in knowing that my doctor doesn't only know how to diagnose and treat specific symptoms but also has an understanding of the underlying science that might explain the origin of an issue. I believe such an understanding is critical not only for those involved with medical research but also for those who are treating patients on a daily basis.
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December 6, 2009
All Doctors should share some common attributes. They should all be great communicators and cooperators, for instance. It also wouldn't hurt if Docs had nice demeanor because patients and coworkers prefer to interact with cheerful, positive thinking, and reasonable individuals.
However, it is uncertain how much change a Medical School education could instill in these areas, on these attributes. As the average age of an incoming Medical Student under current standards is in or around the range of 23-25 years, intuition would dictate that individuals have already developed deep rooted social communication and behavioral habits, one's that would be difficult to change.
Therefore, in this case, along with determining the qualities essential of a doctor or medical student, it first must be determined whether medical education, at its current temporal location in personal development, can effectively influence such change.
If it is determined that such change is not possible or realistic, incumbency must lay with the admissions criterion and committees to select those applicants that embody qualities which are deemed essential of future doctors.
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December 4, 2009
Selflessness and the desire to do good.
Doctors need to be truly dedicated to their patients and understand the need to make sacrifices in order to best serve the public.
Knowledge of evidence based medicine is crucial.
The willingness to spend time with patients to determine holistic health needs and goals.
The ability to work as patient advocates and promoters of health.
I think med students today should receive more training in nutrition - the health problems of today and the future are incresingly requiring the ability to counsel re: nutritional and other lifestyle interventions.
- Med 2 Student
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December 3, 2009
I would be thrilled if all physicians were up to date, patient, and kind & caring. Or at the very least, pretend to care.
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December 3, 2009
A good medical school with high moral standards might help. Like Dr Lynette R once said I can teach them something here but then they go to the Hospital and it cannot be applied in practice.
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December 3, 2009
Hi Dr. Marrie
My comments as to "what makes a doctor" are many and variable....Thoughtful, intelligent,critical thinking, leaders,yet willing to include others in the plan of care(health care providers, patients, families) gentle, tactful, interested in others, integrity, interest in how patient care can be made better for each patient.... Of course a significant and solid knowledge base in disease and health is an absolute, but being a doctor is much more than that! Physician charactersitics should include being compassionate, truly interested in the patient, and organizer (of identifying care priorities in a professional manner) and with a keen interest in current evidence and how to develop research to guide future care, and more importantly understanding that participation of the patient in shared decision making about their care will produce improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. Through working with the patient and obtaining an understanding of their values, priorities and expectations in addition to the diagnostic and treatment approach, doctors connect with the patient,engage and generate a process such as shared decision making that is meaningful for the patient and beneficial to their wellbeing. Towle talks about how shared decision making as a means to engage the patient is not being taught (enough)in medical schools. Related to communication skills, this would be a valuable tool for incoming medical students...include the patient! I agree with what has been posted to this time, clearly a heavy emphasis on the relationship and interaction between the physician and the pateint is being highlighted. I also would add that the physician needs to be the expert in knowledge, but by engaging with the other expert, the patient, this will create a strong bridge for patients living with illness to their road to recover and best possible quality of life.
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December 3, 2009
Doctors should keep their appointments and recognise that each patient is an individual with individual requirements and quit this one size fits all system. They should also know the side effects of the medication they prescribe for the benefit of the patient. Sick patients cannot be expected to understand everything on the pharmacy printouts, nor can pharmacists be expected to give the patient as many warnings as are needed. Doctors should also learn to respect their patients and treat them as educated intelligent partners in the patient's healthcare.
Currently admissions have been made that older women are not getting the health care they need. Most doctors treat all women as wombs on wheels anyway. Why doctors want to send women to gynaecologists for digestice, kidney and liver problems is a mystery to be solved.
One needs to find clinics dedicated to female livers, kidneys, spleens, pancreas,lumgs, brains and orthopaedic care, and create instsant fines for any doctor ehi sneers at a woman because her chromasonal endowment has not failed in the womb unlike other residual members of the human race.
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December 2, 2009
Caring, understanding, and patience are qualities which are obviously important for physicians, as they are for all health-care employees. Qualities particular to physicians should include: the physician maintaining knowledge in medical research and alternatives, admitting when he/she is wrong or suggesting referrals if necessary, taking patients' concerns seriously (or at least ruling out impossibilities), always telling the truth of the matter (using tact but not sugar-coating situations), and letting the patients know he/she is there for them.
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December 1, 2009
Qualities needed in a family doctor: friendly and engaging with patients, genuine interest in and care for patients, good advocate for patients with specialists, broad knowledge of modern medicine.
In the future: family doctors need to be committed to continuing education to make sure they are always on top of the latest science discoveries.
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November 30, 2009
When I go to my physician, I would like him/her to explain me about the potential causes of the symptoms, latest technology to effectively diagnose the disease, available treatment options and then his expert recommendation on all. Couple of my conditions were left undiagnosed, as the physician didn't know where to further recommend and which technology would be most suitable in diagnosing the underlying conditions.
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November 30, 2009
Doctors should be kind, empathetic and knowledgeable. They should keep an open mind and be not just willing but eager to learn and work together with other health professionals for better patient outcomes.
We are taught how to recognize drug related problems in our pharmacy curriculum and once recognized we explain them to the patient and inform the prescriber. The process is made much easier when the prescriber is interested in our input and willing to respond to our suggestions.
Realizing that there is always more to know and learn is a necessary quality in all health professions. Doctors need to be able to admit when they've made a mistake, and deal with it appropriately as well.
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November 29, 2009
Empathy for others, an ability to recognize when their own personal issues need attention. Also reflection time during education that allows the junior physician to truly identify their correct path in life. So many physicians are unhappy and unfulfilled and it shows, they can prevent this by having a program that fully addresses their personal growth while exploring their professional development
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responses continued > |
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