The Top Five Qualities of Successful Doctors

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Have you ever wondered what makes a successful doctor? Obviously hard work and dedication are required just to get into medical school, let alone graduate. But beyond an incredible work ethic, below are five qualities that most successful doctors share:

1) Communication skills. Doctors must be able to communicate effectively with nurses, staff members, and other doctors. But most importantly, they must be able to communicate well with patients. This communication goes beyond simply informing them of facts—a good doctor is able to emotionally connect with a patient, and is able to empathize with their fears, concerns, and unasked questions. No doctor enjoys being the bearer of bad news, but it happens regularly for many doctors, and it is important that they convey such information sympathetically and professionally.

2) Time management skills. Life as a doctor is hectic. Beyond the obvious need to attend to patients, a doctor is responsible for large amounts of paperwork and other management tasks. The ability to manage time well is critical for success. Fortunately, the experience of attending medical school demands efficient time management—so the vast majority of graduates have this skill figured out.

3) Problem solving skills. Doctors must be good problem solvers. Whether in regards to managing their practice or in making a complicated diagnosis, doctors are presented with problems on a regular basis. It’s imperative that a doctor have the ability to logically process and work through problems in order to arrive at a solution.

4) The ability to separate work from their personal life. This skill comes into play regularly for most doctors. For one thing, constantly dealing with injury, illness, and death can be very difficult psychologically for many people to handle. While it’s important to empathize with patients, if a doctor cannot clear his mind when he moves on to the next patient or goes home for the day, he will quickly become ineffective. It’s also important for a doctor to enjoy quality time away from his practice. Because there is always so much work to be done, many doctors have difficulty relaxing at home. But without time to relax and rejuvenate, a burnout is inevitable.

5) Dedication to patients. A doctor needs to have a deep desire to heal patients, first and foremost. Without that driving force, it is impossible to put in the time and effort required first to get through medical school, get through a residency program, and ultimately open or join a practice. While the pay can be rewarding, money alone is not a sufficient motivator to keep a doctor or aspiring doctor moving. That motivator has to be a sincere and heartfelt desire to help others. If that desire doesn’t exist, there is no point in trying to fake it.

There are many more skills that most successful doctors share, but these are among the most important. Keep in mind, though, that without an incredible work ethic and the ability to focus and complete a lengthy list of tasks, none of these skills will be enough.