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Five Characteristics of a Doctor

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Essay on Qualities of a Good Doctor

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities of a Good Doctor in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Doctor

A good doctor should have empathy, understanding patients’ feelings and concerns. This helps in building trust and improving patient-doctor relationships.

Communication Skills

Good doctors communicate effectively, explaining complex medical terms in simple language. This ensures patients understand their health conditions and treatment plans.

Professional Knowledge

Doctors should have a strong grasp of medical knowledge. They should be updated with the latest medical research to provide the best care.

Patience is key, as some patients may require more time to express their issues. Good doctors listen attentively without rushing.

Doctors should have high ethical standards, respecting patients’ privacy and making decisions in the best interest of patients.

250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Doctor

Introduction.

A good doctor is a paragon of professional competence, empathy, and ethics, serving as a beacon of hope for patients navigating the treacherous waters of illness. The qualities that make a good doctor are multifaceted, ranging from technical expertise to interpersonal skills.

Professional Competence

A good doctor must possess a solid foundation of medical knowledge, keeping abreast with the latest developments in their field. This requires a commitment to lifelong learning, as medicine is an ever-evolving discipline. Their decision-making should be evidence-based, drawing on the best available research to guide their practice.

Effective communication is paramount in a doctor’s role. They must be able to explain complex medical conditions in a way that patients can understand, fostering trust and cooperation. Good doctors also listen attentively, recognizing that each patient is a unique individual with their own concerns and experiences.

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of good patient care. A good doctor must be able to understand and share the feelings of their patients. This emotional connection can significantly enhance the therapeutic relationship, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

Ethical Practice

Lastly, a good doctor must adhere to high ethical standards. This includes respecting patient autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Ethical practice is fundamental to building trust and safeguarding the integrity of the medical profession.

In conclusion, a good doctor embodies a blend of technical expertise, effective communication, empathy, and ethical practice. These qualities not only enhance patient care but also uphold the nobility and prestige of the medical profession.

500 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Doctor

The medical profession is one of the most revered and respected professions globally. It demands a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and personal traits. A good doctor is not only defined by their medical prowess but also by their ability to interact with patients compassionally and empathetically. This essay explores the essential qualities that make a good doctor.

Medical Expertise

A good doctor must possess a robust knowledge base, demonstrating a thorough understanding of various diseases, their symptoms, and the appropriate treatment protocols. They must be committed to lifelong learning, given the rapid advancements in medical science. Staying updated with the latest research findings and incorporating them into their practice is a hallmark of a good doctor.

Effective communication is crucial in the medical field. A good doctor should be able to explain complex medical conditions and treatments in a way that patients can understand. They should also be good listeners, allowing patients to express their concerns and fears. This two-way communication builds trust and is vital for a successful doctor-patient relationship.

Empathy and compassion are at the heart of the medical profession. A good doctor should be able to empathize with their patients, understanding their emotional state and showing genuine concern for their well-being. They should treat their patients with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that are expected of a good doctor. This includes respect for patient confidentiality, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and adhering to ethical guidelines. A good doctor should also display a high level of commitment, responsibility, and integrity in their work.

Problem-solving Skills

Every patient presents a unique set of symptoms and challenges. A good doctor should have excellent problem-solving skills, enabling them to make accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans. They should be able to think critically, analyze complex information, and make informed decisions under pressure.

In conclusion, a good doctor is a blend of medical expertise, effective communication, empathy, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. These qualities not only make them competent healthcare providers but also trusted allies in the patient’s journey towards health and well-being. The medical profession is more than just a job; it is a calling that demands the highest level of dedication, compassion, and skill.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Importance of Doctors
• Essay on Duties of a Doctor
• Essay on Role of Doctor in Society

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20 Qualities of a Good Doctor: How to Choose the Right Physician for Your Needs

Choosing the right doctor can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to ensure you receive the best possible care. In this article, we’ll explore 20 essential qualities that make a good doctor, so you can feel confident in your choice.

1. Knowledge and Expertise

A good doctor must have a deep understanding of the human body and stay up-to-date with the latest medical advancements and treatments. Patients want to know that their doctor has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat their health problems with confidence. This is an essential aspect of one of the 20 qualities that make a good doctor

2. Good Communication Skills

Good communication is key for a good doctor. Patients must feel comfortable talking to their doctor about their health problems and concerns, and a physician who listens attentively and explains medical conditions in an easy-to-understand way is highly valued. Effective communication also helps to build trust between the doctor and patient, which is essential for a positive doctor-patient relationship.

3. Compassion and Empathy

When patients visit the doctor, they often feel vulnerable and in pain. A doctor who shows compassion and empathy, putting themselves in the patient’s shoes and understanding their needs and concerns, can help patients feel more comfortable and at ease. Patients need this as an important factor that determines one of the 20 qualities that make a good doctor.

4. Availability and Accessibility

Patients appreciate doctors who are available and accessible when they need them. A doctor who is always there to answer questions and provide support can reduce the stress and anxiety that patients often experience when dealing with health problems. Patients should have easy access to their doctor, either through appointments or telemedicine services.

5. Attention to Detail

A good doctor must pay close attention to detail. They must thoroughly examine and assess patients and be able to identify even the smallest symptoms and signs. This helps ensure that patients receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan for their specific needs. This also is an essential part of the 20 qualities that make a good doctor

6. Strong Ethical Standards

Patients trust that their doctor will act in their best interests and uphold strong ethical standards. Doctors must be committed to ethical principles and providing the highest standard of care to their patients.

7. Good Problem-Solving Skills

A good doctor must have strong problem-solving skills and be able to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat health problems. They must think critically and find creative solutions to complex medical issues.

8. Willingness to Continuously Learn and Improve

The medical field is constantly evolving, and it is essential that doctors stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and incorporate new technologies and treatments into their practice. A good doctor must be willing to continuously learn and improve.

9. Ability to Work Well Under Pressure

Healthcare can be fast-paced and stressful, and it is essential that doctors can work well under pressure. They must remain calm and composed in high-stress situations and make quick and effective decisions.

10. Good Time Management Skills

A good doctor must have good time management skills and effectively manage their schedule and prioritize their tasks. This helps ensure that they can provide the best possible care to their patients and meet their needs in a timely manner.

11. Ability to Build Strong Relationships with Patients

A doctor’s ability to build strong relationships with patients is crucial. Patients want to feel that their doctor cares about them and their health , and a doctor who can build strong, trusting relationships with their patients is more likely to provide high-quality care and achieve positive outcomes.

12. Active Listening Skills

A good doctor must have active listening skills and listen attentively to their patients. They must take the time to understand their patients’ concerns and needs and provide personalized care tailored to their needs.

13. Respect for Patient Privacy and Confidentiality

Patients want to trust that their doctor will respect their privacy and confidentiality. Doctors must be committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and always act in accordance with ethical and legal standards.

14. Ability to Work as a Team Player

Healthcare is a collaborative industry, and it is essential that doctors can work effectively as part of a team. They must communicate well with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, specialists, and support staff, and be committed to working together to provide the best possible care to their patients.

15. Positive Attitude and Professionalism

A good doctor must have a positive attitude and behave professionally with patients and other healthcare professionals. They must be respectful and courteous and provide the highest standard of care to their patients.

16. Commitment to Patient Safety

Patient safety must always be a top priority for doctors. They must follow established protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients.

17. Willingness to Go the Extra Mile

A good doctor must be willing to go the extra mile to provide the best possible care to their patients. They must provide personalized, high-quality care and be willing to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of their patients.

18. Adaptability

The healthcare industry is constantly changing, and it is essential that doctors can adapt to new technologies and treatments. A good doctor must be flexible and quickly adapt to changes in the industry, incorporating new advancements into their practice.

19. Respect for Diversity and Inclusion

A good doctor must respect diversity and inclusion and provide care to patients from all backgrounds and cultures. They must be culturally sensitive and provide care tailored to the specific needs and beliefs of their patients.

20. Passion for Helping Others

Finally, a good doctor must have a passion for helping others. They must be motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of their patients and be committed to providing the best possible care to those in need.

Conclusion of 20 Qualities of a Good Doctor

In conclusion, a good doctor must have knowledge and expertise, good communication skills, show compassion and empathy, be available and accessible, pay close attention to detail, have strong ethical standards, good problem-solving skills, and a willingness to continuously learn and improve, among other qualities. By considering these factors, you can be confident that you are receiving the best possible care and treatment for your health problems. The healthcare industry is critical, and it’s essential that you have access to high-quality care from doctors who are committed to providing the best possible care.

You deserve the best possible care, and it’s essential to choose a doctor who is right for you. By considering these 20 qualities, you can make informed decisions about your healthcare and have access to high-quality medical professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care.

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Qualities Of A Good Doctor Essay

A good doctor is someone who cares about their patients and works to ensure they receive the best possible care. They are knowledgeable about medicine and keep up to date on the latest advancements. They are also good communicators, able to listen to their patients and explain things clearly. Above all, a good doctor puts their patient’s needs first.

What qualities distinguish a great doctor? It’s possible to split the characteristics needed to be a good doctor into two categories on the basis of resources like the British Medical Council and interviews with patients. The first of these is comprised of traits associated with building a positive doctor-patient relationship.

The second category involves the technical and professional skills needed to be a competent physician. A doctor-patient relationship is built on trust. The patient must feel that they can rely on their doctor to have their best interests at heart. They need to feel confident that their doctor is knowledgeable and will make sound decisions regarding their care.

Good communication is essential to building this trust. The doctor must be able to explain medical concepts in layman’s terms and answer any questions the patient may have. They should also be good listeners, taking the time to hear the patient’s concerns and explain things thoroughly.

Of course, a good bedside manner is not enough if the doctor does not have the necessary technical skills. A good doctor must be able to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan. They should be up-to-date on the latest medical research and developments in their field. They should also be able to work well with other members of the healthcare team, such as nurses and specialists.

It is clear that there are many qualities needed to make a good doctor. However, if a physician has a good bedside manner and is competent in their field, they will be off to a good start in providing excellent patient care.

This involves having excellent communication skills and a kind and polite attitude with patients. The second class covers the doctor’s clinical skill, including elements such as knowing the boundaries of their professional competence. A competent doctor should be able to demonstrate both high levels in these two categories.

Good communication skills are essential for a doctor. This involves being able to explain diagnoses and treatment plans clearly to patients. It also means being able to listen to patients and understand their concerns. Caring and polite manner towards patients is also important. This includes showing empathy and taking the time to get to know patients.

The second category, clinical competence, is just as important as good communication skills. A good doctor should be knowledgeable and up-to-date on the latest medical advances. They should also be able to show a high aptitude in both of these categories.

Both of these categories are important in order to be a good doctor. Communication skills and clinical competence are essential for providing high-quality patient care. A good doctor should be able to show a high aptitude in both of these areas.

A good doctor is one who has a solid doctor-patient connection, such that the patient feels at ease throughout his or her stay in the hospital. A doctor’s capacity to communicate effectively is essential for establishing this type of relationship. The B.M.C.’s requirement that physicians “….listen to patients and give information to them in a way they can comprehend,” emphasizes the importance of this skill.

A doctor should also have good problem solving skills as many times a patient will present with a difficult problem. For example, when presented with a patient who has come in with an undiagnosed illness, the doctor must be able to work through the possible diagnoses systematically and come to a conclusion.

Additionally, it is important for doctors to keep up to date with medical advancements as this allows them to provide better care for their patients. For instance, if there is a new treatment for cancer that has shown to be more effective than current treatments, then a doctor should make their patients aware of this so they can make an informed decision about their care.

In summary, communication, problem-solving and being up-to-date with medical advancements are key qualities of a good doctor.

What makes a good doctor? Key qualities include the ability to communicate well, solve problems effectively, and stay up-to-date with medical advancements. Good doctors also have strong relationships with their patients, which promotes comfort and understanding.

The value of excellent communication abilities is twofold. First and most important, it is crucial for a physician to be able to extract information about the patient’s injuries or sickness as well as their clinical history in order to diagnose them. The significance of this listening skill is discussed further below.

Secondly, good communication is important for a doctor when trying to explain the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options to the patient. A patient who understands their condition is more likely to comply with the recommended treatment and have a better outcome.

Good communication involves not only being a good listener, but also being able to express oneself clearly. This is important when dealing with patients, as well as with other members of the healthcare team. Good verbal communication skills are essential in order to build rapport with patients, as well as gain their trust. It is also necessary when conveying complex medical information to patients in a way that they can understand. In addition, non-verbal communication, such as body language, is also important in establishing trust and rapport.

A doctor’s ability to work well with other members of the healthcare team is also essential. Good teamwork skills are necessary in order to provide coordinated and efficient patient care. Doctors need to be able to communicate effectively with nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other physicians. They also need to be able to work collaboratively with these health care professionals in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

It is also important for doctors to have good problem-solving skills. This is because they often have to deal with complex medical problems that require creative thinking and innovative solutions. In addition, doctors need to be able to make decisions quickly and under pressure. They also need to be able to handle difficult situations, such as dealing with death or delivering bad news to a patient.

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Medical School Expert

13 Qualities Of A Good Doctor (& How To Demonstrate Them)

Every article is fact-checked by a medical professional. However, inaccuracies may still persist.

Being a good doctor takes the perfect mix of personal qualities, characteristics and attitudes, that all go into providing excellent care to patients.

Every doctor is an individual, so will approach medicine from a slightly different angle, but there are some qualities and attributes that crop up time and time again when investigating what makes great doctors good.

The top 13 qualities of a good doctor are:

• Problem-solving

Conscientiousness

• Effective communicator
• Personal organisation
• The ability to reflect
• Ability to take responsibility
• Academic ability
• Dealing with uncertainty

Having worked as a doctor for a few years now, I’ve come across my fair share of excellent doctors, as well as a very small handful who lacked a couple of the key qualities above.

In this article, I’m going to explore each of the above qualities of a good doctor, look at how they relate to everyday clinical practice, and explore how you could demonstrate them if you were applying to medical school.

INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE:

Problem-Solving

Every new patient you see in clinical practice is essentially a new problem to be solved.

You’re given bits of information from lots of different sources: what the patient is telling you, what you can feel when examining the patient, the results of any blood tests or scans you’ve performed…

It’s then your job as a doctor to put all these snippets together to solve the problem of the patient’s diagnosis.

Now, don’t get me wrong, sometime it’s a very easy problem to solve.

If a patient is presenting with a sore throat, cough and runny nose, they probably have a cold.

But, there are other times when you just pick up one sign that’s slightly off, such as a blood test that comes back just slightly above the normal range, that then leads you down a rabbit hole of diagnosing an otherwise symptomless disease.

Good doctors are almost always excellent problem solvers- whether or not they actually realise it themselves!

How You Could Demonstrate This Quality

• Describe how you overcame a challenge you faced at your work e.g. how you dealt with a difficult customer

In reality, most of modern medicine isn’t wild left-field diagnoses in the style of Dr House.

The majority of your day-to-day work as a doctor hinges on following protocols with attention to detail.

This lets you pick up on anything the patient says that stands out as abnormal or any test results that return outside of the expected ranges.

A very simple test that doctors can perform is a urine dip test.

This test can detect microscopic amounts of blood in a person’s urine.

There are many different reasons for blood being found in a patient’s urine, such as if she’s on her period, but there’s always an outside chance that it can signal something far more serious (such as kidney cancer).

A doctor who’s not conscientious could easily put a positive result down to one of these many harmless reasons and not bother repeating the test.

But, a conscientious doctor would always take a second look at something that’s not expected and so may find something nasty far, far sooner.

• Take on a committee role with one of your extra-curricular activities e.g. the role of treasurer for your hockey club

Effective Communicator

You can be the most technically brilliant doctor in the world, but if you can’t communicate your plan to the patient, they’re not going to follow your treatment regime and they’re not going to get any better.

It was only once I began work as a doctor that I truly started to gain an appreciation for just how important communication skills are.

Now, it had been drilled into us at medical school, the importance of good communication and how to converse clearly with patients, but it’s only once you start regularly interacting with the general public that you get a sense of what level you need to pitch your explanations at.

(Learn how to tackle the MMI communication station here. )

As a doctor, you’ve spent five years at medical school learning almost a whole other language of medical jargon and terms.

And with that background of knowledge, it’s just far too easy to forget what you didn’t know before going through the whole process.

I remember before medical school, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you where the liver sat in the body.

Despite this, without thinking as a doctor, I could very easily launch into an explanation to a patient about their liver and what was wrong with it, completely forgetting that they may not even know what a liver really is!

Communication skills are vital for a doctor to be able to make themselves understood and keep the patient onside when it comes to their treatment regime.

• Undertake some work experience that could help improve your communication skills e.g. volunteering to teach children to read at school

Personal Organisation

I can’t say I’ve ever been an amazingly organised person.

However, I can say that working as a junior doctor has genuinely greatly improved my personal organisation skills.

As a busy doctor on the wards or in a GP practice, you’ve got to keep track of a hundred different tasks and duties, all of varying importance and urgency.

The stakes are high because losing track of an important job you need to do could directly negatively impact the quality of care for a patient.

If a patient needs an urgent x-ray, and you forget to book it because you got distracted, it’s not going to look good for you.

Personal organisation is what will let you keep track of everything you need to do, prioritising the most urgent tasks to the top of your to-do list.

This will mean you get the important stuff done even if you’re being bombarded on all sides by nurses, patients or other doctors asking for things.

• Present yourself in a well-kempt manner at your medical school interview and be sure to turn up in plenty of time!

Out of this entire list, I’ve got to say I think honesty is one of the most important qualities for a doctor to have.

You just can’t have a dishonest doctor.

Doctors have easy access to controlled drugs, private patient information and can make life-changing decisions for the person sat in front of them.

A good doctor would never prescribe a medication just because they’d get a kickback from the pharmaceutical company who sold it, they’d never steal controlled drugs to sell them, and they’d never look at a patient’s private medical record unless they needed to.

Honesty is such an important quality for a doctor to have that even minor breaches are often cause for a fitness to practice meeting with the GMC.

For example, if a doctor were to do something as relatively minor as lie to get out of a parking ticket, and this fact came to light, they’d very likely face professional repercussions due to the fact that this act called their professional integrity into question.

• Prepare for ethical dilemma questions at your medicine interview as well as researching and understanding why honesty is such an important quality for a doctor to possess

Once you start work in healthcare, you very quickly learn that it is very much a team sport.

As much as TV shows or movies make out, the doctor is not the be-all and end-all of patient care.

A huge team works both clinically and behind the scenes to care for patients- both in and out of hospitals.

You’ve got doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, healthcare assistants, ward clerks, cleaners, phlebotomists and dieticians to name just a few of the professions that might be involved in delivering care to a patient.

To be a good doctor, you need to be able to act as a specialised cog in this larger healthcare machine, working closely and effectively with your colleagues.

Even between doctors, teamwork is essential to delivering high-quality care.

Doctors work with other doctors to ask for specialist opinions, doctors perform operations together and doctors help each other out on busy days on the ward.

If you can’t work collaboratively, then you’re just not going to be a productive member of the team- and so hinder the delivery of care to your patients.

• Take part in team sports or team activities (e.g. group fundraising for a charity) that showcase you as an excellent team player

The Ability To Reflect

You very likely reflect on things without even knowing it.

Reflection is essentially just thinking about something that happened, thinking about why it happened and how you responded, and thinking about what you could do better next time.

In medicine, this process is central to becoming a better doctor.

Reflection is one of the best ways to learn from your experiences and implement positive change in your future practice.

As a doctor, this activity of reflecting is actually formalised into a written exercise.

In order to revalidate as a doctor every year, I have to produce a set number of written reflections detailing events I’ve experienced and what I learnt from them.

Although it may sound easy enough, there’s undoubtedly a bit of knack to getting good at reflecting.

I’d go so far as to say it’s actually a skill you’ll develop over a lifetime, but having the innate quality of being able to look back over your past actions and draw learning points out will definitely contribute to being a good doctor.

• Make sure your personal statement includes reflections on your work experience and achievements and not just descriptions of what you’ve physically done

What makes practising medicine different from killing cancer cells in a laboratory, is that you’ve got a person, not a petri dish, at the receiving end of your actions.

In the often confusing and scary environments of A&E departments, operating theatres or intensive care units, a doctor can act as a point of contact to describe and explain exactly what’s happening (and what’s going to happen) to a patient.

It’s easy to forget how overwhelming healthcare settings can be, especially when you work there every day, but a strong sense of empathy will allow a doctor to appreciate how their patients may be feeling and so let them work to reassure them.

Empathy is integral to the patient experience.

Something as simple as fetching a cup of tea and a sandwich for a patient who’s been sat in A&E for 4 hours can turn their terrible evening into a slightly less terrible one.

From breaking bad news to commiserating family members, the quality of empathy is unquestionably vital to being a good doctor.

• Gain an appreciation, through direct shadowing and volunteering, of the importance of empathy in clinical practice which you can draw on in your personal statement or at interview

Resilience isn’t necessarily something you’d immediately associate with being a good doctor.

However, I can assure you it’s just as important a quality as any other on this list.

The reality is, the road to both becoming a doctor, and working as one, can be a bit of a long old slog.

You’ve first got the years at medical school, with make-or-break exams around every corner, then comes the somewhat relentless feeling years as a junior doctor, working long hours for relatively little pay.

Finally, after approximately 10 years in the game, you can exit the training pipeline and take up a post as a consultant.

Sometimes, you’ve got to be resilient to keep on pushing.

That could be continuing to sort out jobs long after your shift officially finished, that could be maintaining concentration in an operation that’s taking much longer than expected, or that could be meeting your next patient with a friendly smile after the last one was openly rude about you and your team.

Without resilience, a doctor is far more likely to burn out and so stop being able to deliver good care to patients.

• Include in your application any extra-curricular achievements that you’re proud of and took considerable effort to accomplish

Respect isn’t just about being polite to your patients and colleagues.

Respect is also about taking anything a patient or colleague tells you seriously and acting upon it if required.

This could be a patient telling you that they received a substandard quality of care.

Instead of just brushing them off as a troublemaker, a doctor who truly respects their patients would explore this report to find out if anything could be improved for next time.

That being said, the core quality of respect does include a requirement to treat people professionally.

Shouting at a nurse because she forgot to give a patient a medication you prescribed isn’t respecting her as an individual.

Ignoring requests for advice from other doctors isn’t showing them respect as clinical equals.

The quality of respect is embedded in everything a good doctor does, from dealing with angry patients to teaching medical students.

• Respect should be a mindset that shines through in anything you do as a medicine applicant, whether that be through volunteering or answering a question at your interview

Ability To Take Responsibility

A good doctor is always willing to take responsibility for their actions.

No matter how serious the consequences may be.

The NHS has actually formalised this requirement to take responsibility into the ‘duty of candour.’

What this essentially means is that anytime harm does, or could have, come to a patient the healthcare professional involved has to tell them about it.

I had my first experience of fulfilling my duty of candour about a week into my first job as a junior doctor.

One of my colleagues had asked me to help them out with a few small jobs, one of which was to take some blood from a patient.

Only taking down the patient’s bed space, I went to that bed on the ward and duly took blood from the patient lying there.

What I didn’t know, was that the patient my colleague had wanted me to bleed had just moved spots on the ward.

I’d taken blood from the wrong patient so immediately went to the patient I’d bled to explain the situation and apologise.

Thankfully, they really didn’t mind that I’d made the mistake but the same requirement for candour holds true even if I’d performed an operation on the wrong patient.

• At your medicine interview, they might ask you to talk about a time you made a mistake. Have an example prepared of how you responded quickly and honestly

Academic Ability

Academic ability is a quality required by doctors throughout their training.

There’s just no getting around the fact that to be a good doctor you have to learn and memorise a vast quantity of medical information.

Different types of drugs, their side effects, different diseases and their symptoms… Although as a doctor you can always look information up, you’re able to work much quicker and more efficiently if you have key facts memorised.

A second reason that to be a good doctor you have to be good academically is because of the sheer number of exams you have to take!

Unfortunately, exams don’t finish even once you’ve graduated from medical school.

Every medical specialty, whether that be anaesthetics, rheumatology or general practice, has its own specialist exams that doctors training in that field have to take.

Most people have excellent academic ability just by virtue of having been able to get into medical school, but it is certainly a quality that continues to be relevant throughout a doctor’s career.

• Achieve top grades at school in order to support your medicine application

Dealing With Uncertainty

Finally, I think this last quality of a good doctor may be the most underrated on the list.

As a doctor, nine times out of ten you won’t be dealing with a complete information set.

Diseases very rarely present exactly as they’re described in the textbooks, so there’s always a bit of uncertainty regarding which symptoms a patient is describing could be down to a particular condition.

Every test we do in medicine has both false positive rates and false negative rates, so we can never be truly sure that a test has come back to us 100% accurate.

Often times the investigation that would give us a definite answer just can’t be done for every patient we see. For example, it would be far too expensive for the NHS to MRI every elderly person with knee pain when the vast majority could be diagnosed with arthritis without the need for a scan.

Doctors have to be masters of treating the ‘most likely’ scenario, whilst always bearing in mind the ‘most serious’ diagnosis that could be underlying a patient’s presentation.

GPs are arguably the experts at dealing with this uncertainty due to the fact they have far fewer tests at their fingertips compared to their hospital colleagues. However, every good doctor will manage it to some extent.

• Talk about a time that you personally had to deal with an uncertain situation, how you dealt with it at the time and what you learnt from that experience

Final Thoughts

If you are in the process of applying to medicine, you may have recognised some of these qualities of a good doctor.

That’s because I selected the 13 most relevant qualities from the Medical Schools Council’s ‘Statement On The Core Values And Attributes Needed To Study Medicine.’

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of the attributes needed to study medicine also feed into a doctor being good at their job.

Everyone will have their own slightly different definitions of what the qualities of a good doctor are, but I thought these 13 were as good as any and could easily see how each applied to my working life.

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• Doctor Essay

Essay on Doctor

Introduction.

The noblest profession is of a doctor. They are given the stature next to God in our society. Doctors devote their lives in treating ailing patients. It is his duty to treat and cure sick people. They serve humanity unconditionally. This is the most respected work in the society because doctors don’t discriminate against patients as per the religion, caste and creed while treating them. This profession demands time, intense labor and busy schedules. Many times they put their lives at risk while treating life-threatening disease. Patients too place their complete faith in the doctors.

Specialized Doctors

The field of medicine is vast and so there are doctors specialized in these various fields. Doctors with such specialization includes:

Oncologist: Doctor who treats cancer patients

Dermatologist: Doctor specializes in treating skin and skin related diseases.

Pediatrician: Doctor specializes in treating children.

Cardiologist: Doctor deals with heart related problems.

Neurologist: This is a specialization where doctor treats problems related to nerves in our body

Gynecologist: it is a specialization in treating the health of female reproductive problems.

General Physician: They treat acute and chronic illness and provide preventive measures to the patients.

Psychiatrist: Psychiatrist treats mental health issues.

Apart from these specializations there are doctors for dental and animals also. 

Qualifications and Eligibility of a Doctor

If you want to become a doctor, you have to secure the degree of MBBS which is a five years long course. To get admission into medical colleges, you have to pass the entrance exam called NEET after 12 th grade. To be eligible for this exam, you should take up science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology in high school and in 12 th grade. 

After four and half years of MBBS study, you have to go through one year of internship and there you learn how to diagnose various diseases practically in different departments. After completion of internship, you have to take an oath that you will always be ethical in this profession and serve the humanity selflessly. Then you become a doctor. If you want to pursue advanced studies after MBBS then you have to study three years course of MD or MS in specialized departments.

Qualities of Being a Good Doctor

The lives of the patients are in the hands of a doctor. So, it is very important that a doctor possesses the following qualities in order to correct diagnosis and treatment.

Compassion: A doctor has to be compassionate towards his patients. Patients respond well when doctors are empathetic to their needs and interact with them by exercising courtesy and compassion. 

Strong Work Ethic: Every day brings new challenges in this profession. So it is important for a doctor to have a very strong work ethic. This means dedicating oneself completely regardless of what is happening in his personal life. 

Professionalism: This quality is a must for a doctor. Patients place their full faith and confidence in a doctor so it is important for a doctor to be professional in their approach like being attentive and listening to the needs of the patient, a good observer, and having patience to deal with them.

Knowledge: A doctor should always update his medical knowledge with the latest medical news and trends so that he can use his knowledge and skill set at the moment’s notice.

Confidence: A good doctor should reinforce his knowledge with confidence. Only when a doctor is confident, he can give assurance to his patients.

Humility: It is important to be humble with the patients. A good doctor must be approachable and available whenever needed by his patients.

Passion: A good doctor must have the passion for his study and practice. Passion makes a doctor disciplined and he is willing to sacrifice anything for treating his patients.

FAQs on Doctor Essay

Q1. What are the Different Types of Doctors?

Ans. Oncologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, neurologist, pediatrician, general physician, dermatologist are some of the different types of doctors.

Q2. Why are Doctors Given the Stature Next to God in our Society?

And. Doctors are given the stature next to God in our society because they save lives and treat people to become better.

Q3. What are the Qualities, a Good Doctor Should Possess?

Ans. The qualities that a doctor should have are compassion, strong work ethic, professionalism, knowledge, confidence, humility and passion.

Q4. When is National Doctor’s Day Celebrated?

Ans. National doctor’s day is celebrated on July1st to commemorate the service of the doctors.