diyhealth.com

Thinking about studying medicine? Six traits to being an outstanding doctor

There is likely no job more rewarding or more in demand than that of being a medical professional. If you have a passion for helping others and an interest in the field of medicine, this line of work could be a very real possibility for you. If youโ€™re going to be the best at what you do, you must first understand what it takes to be a doctor both educationally and professionally.

Fulfill educational requirements

Young woman holding a book

Before we get into what professional traits make a great doctor, letโ€™s first talk about educational requirements. In order to become a doctor in any field of medicine, you will need to have completed a bachelorโ€™s degree program. While most schools arenโ€™t picky about the field of study, if you look into pursuing a chemistry degree, or find out what you can do with a biology degree here, you will see they are two good undergraduate degree choices for future doctors.

If you can find a school that offers pre-med programs, this will be beneficial for getting educated on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) that youโ€™ll need to take. There are also resources through providers like Next Step Test Prep to obtain additional help and tutoring to pass the test. After obtaining your bachelorโ€™s degree, you will need to enroll in and complete medical school along with a residency at a medical facility.

Traits of a Good Medical Professional

Doctor.

Now letโ€™s look at some of the best traits to be a successful doctor:

  1. Professionalism โ€“ There are some professional codes of conduct that you will have to abide by as a doctor. This will include doctor/patient confidentiality. Your patients need to feel safe and secure in disclosing personal information without fear that this information will leave your office. Also important is the ability to treat your patients with fairness and respect. All patients must be treated equally despite their lifestyle choices, economic status, or ethnicity.
  2. Empathy โ€“ It is important that you make every attempt to comprehend how your patient is feeling and how their medical conditions might be affecting their everyday life. When patients feel that they are being treated empathetically, they are more inclined to want to build a lasting relationship with you.
  3. Attentiveness โ€“ Patients are becoming more concerned about the quality of healthcare theyโ€™re receiving. They do not want to be rushed into the doctorโ€™s office only to be pushed out as quickly as possible for the next patient. A good doctor should be sure to take time to ask the patient questions, listening to their needs, and spend time ensuring that theyโ€™ve accommodated all of their medical needs. Essentially, they want to visit a doctor that will go the extra mile to put their health as a top priority.
  4. Forward Thinking โ€“ As the field of medicine is constantly changing, it is imperative that you are up to date on the most innovative ideas, research, and theories to help your patients. As such, you should continue to learn even after finishing school so that you can keep abreast of methods that will help improve the lives of those youโ€™re caring for.
  5. Composed โ€“ Every day in the medical profession wonโ€™t be a fun one. There will be things youโ€™ve never seen before that can make you a little squeamish and a host of other encounters that you werenโ€™t necessarily prepared for. It will be imperative that you learn how to adapt and cope with these circumstances as they arise in a calm and thoughtful way. You will need to make fast informed decisions in a manner that the patient and/or their family know that youโ€™re in control and have their best interest at heart.
  6. Diligent (Hardworking) โ€“ While you may have a working schedule, it is important to point out that people will always have a need for medical care. Working in a position within this field means long hours, little time off, and likely no holidays.

If you are willing to put in the work it takes to get the educational experienceย and believe you encompass all of the above traits, being a doctor could be a rewarding career choice for you. If youโ€™d like to test the waters first, you can always consider starting off as a nurse and working your way up if it suits you.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top