A doctor’s bedside manner may be the single most important factor in how he or she impresses patients. It all comes down to establishing trust, and when it comes to a doctor, most patients feel that being comfortable with a physician and having confidence in his or her abilities is just about the most important factor they’ve got in settling on a doctor.
When viewed abstractly, it might seem that the sheepskin a doctor hangs on the wall is the most important factor. After all, a doctor who received an elite medical school education and did an internship and residency at a prominent hospital may seem like he or she would be the most attractive to new patients. But those great credentials don’t necessarily translate to great people skills, or to being a doctor who genuinely cares about a patient’s well being. Doctors have a saying: if you want a good physician, look for one who cares about people.
According to some surveys, most people think that physicians generally meet a minimum threshold of intelligence, knowledge and competency. They’ve had to pass rigorous board exams before they can hang out a shingle, after all. What makes the difference between a good doctor and a great one, then, are the intangibles – the soft skills that you can’t really teach in med school. Survey respondents refer to things like empathy and humility when they describe the traits that help them really connect with a new doctor.
Edward A Filcheck is a doctor who specializes in podiatry. He says that his objectives as a doctor are to provide the best quality care to patients seeking foot care.
When viewed abstractly, it might seem that the sheepskin a doctor hangs on the wall is the most important factor. After all, a doctor who received an elite medical school education and did an internship and residency at a prominent hospital may seem like he or she would be the most attractive to new patients. But those great credentials don’t necessarily translate to great people skills, or to being a doctor who genuinely cares about a patient’s well being. Doctors have a saying: if you want a good physician, look for one who cares about people.
According to some surveys, most people think that physicians generally meet a minimum threshold of intelligence, knowledge and competency. They’ve had to pass rigorous board exams before they can hang out a shingle, after all. What makes the difference between a good doctor and a great one, then, are the intangibles – the soft skills that you can’t really teach in med school. Survey respondents refer to things like empathy and humility when they describe the traits that help them really connect with a new doctor.
Edward A Filcheck is a doctor who specializes in podiatry. He says that his objectives as a doctor are to provide the best quality care to patients seeking foot care.