What advice would you give a future doctor?!
Question: What advice would you give a future doctor.?
I am currently in year 2 of medical school. We hear lots of stories from patients themselves, and I always seem to get a lot out of their stories, so I am just wondering if you have any advice for how you would want your doctor to be. I am hoping to become a pediatrician (work with kids). All kinds of stories are helpful though - positive and negative.
I feel like I can learn a lot from where physicians have both excelled and failed, and I want to learn as much as possible so I can treat my patients the best possible.
Thanks so much.Health Question & Answer
I feel like I can learn a lot from where physicians have both excelled and failed, and I want to learn as much as possible so I can treat my patients the best possible.
Thanks so much.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I'm not a doctor but here is what I have realized after many years in practice as a physical therapist.
Just about every time I was wrong about a diagnosis was because I discounted one or more of my patients symptoms because I could not explain it, or it did not fit my best diagnosis. If the symptoms don't add up you may have the wrong diagnosis, keep searching for answers
Communicate with confidence. How you say it is as important as what you say.
It's hard when you first start out because you don't have experience to fall back on. Be honest with your patients if your not sure, assure them you will find out. Don't say anything negative or put yourself down where they loose faith in your abilities.
Many patients don't know if they are getting good care and often perceive good bedside manner as good care.
Learn, remember and call patients by their names, makes a huge difference.
One I hear all the times from my patients is how impressed they are when their doctors called them at home to check up on them. I know this is not possible with all your patients. Our pediatrician gave us his cell number to call him if we had any problems in the next 24 hours after our appointment. My wife and I were impressed and we are both health care workers.
Don't use big words, or if you do, don't forget to explain in simple terms.
Have a good sense of humor. When a patient is asked how their doctors visit went, they often think of the smille or laugh you shared with them.
Hope that helps.Health Question & Answer
Just about every time I was wrong about a diagnosis was because I discounted one or more of my patients symptoms because I could not explain it, or it did not fit my best diagnosis. If the symptoms don't add up you may have the wrong diagnosis, keep searching for answers
Communicate with confidence. How you say it is as important as what you say.
It's hard when you first start out because you don't have experience to fall back on. Be honest with your patients if your not sure, assure them you will find out. Don't say anything negative or put yourself down where they loose faith in your abilities.
Many patients don't know if they are getting good care and often perceive good bedside manner as good care.
Learn, remember and call patients by their names, makes a huge difference.
One I hear all the times from my patients is how impressed they are when their doctors called them at home to check up on them. I know this is not possible with all your patients. Our pediatrician gave us his cell number to call him if we had any problems in the next 24 hours after our appointment. My wife and I were impressed and we are both health care workers.
Don't use big words, or if you do, don't forget to explain in simple terms.
Have a good sense of humor. When a patient is asked how their doctors visit went, they often think of the smille or laugh you shared with them.
Hope that helps.Health Question & Answer
I agree. As a nurse myself, it's nice to meet a doctor who values your opinions & takes your advice, after all, we generally know the patients better than you do! Good luck with your training.Health Question & Answer
For a future doctor, listen and take advice from old nursesHealth Question & Answer