Becoming the best doctor you can be is about so much more than your test scores or credentials. While such facts and figures certainly play a major role in getting into residency, many other factors come into play throughout a typical medical career. Here are some tips to help you become the best physician you can possibly be. Never stop being a student Some physicians might think that once they’ve reached a certain point in their careers, they no longer have anything to learn. (You’ll know when you’ve met one.) The truth is the field of medicine is never one that can ever fully be mastered. The human body is an extremely complex mechanism, always changing, and each person unique. On top of that, technology and the latest cutting-edge techniques that are novel one day, are outdated the next. Thus, the best doctors realize they are always students in some form, continuously graduating to the next stage of learning. For residents, this starts with mastering the fundamentals, which surprisingly many don’t have a good grasp on straight out of medical school. These basic skills include taking the history of present illness, a physical exam, interpreting blood tests, and looking at x-rays. It is the role of attending physicians to make sure residents have a strong foundation before moving on to more abstract topics. Be an instrument of change There are a lot of ongoing distractions for doctors in the medical profession—many of which include ever-changing technology, increasing workloads, and machines replacing people, to name a few. Medical students and residents can become so preoccupied with surviving the system, they forget about theirpower to transform it. Rather than accepting things the way they are and suffering through, the best doctors speak up and do something to improve the infrastructure of the industry, as they are uniquely qualified to do. It’s no accident that you—with your unique perspectives, abilities, and vision—are in the field of medicine. While you’re healing your patients, heal the system that treats them. As in any profession, your goal should be to leave the industry better than when you entered it. Practice mindfulness Lastly, the best doctors see the need to equip future physicians with the emotional skills needed to properly care for themselves and others. It’s important to remember that we are only capable of giving what we have. Thus, in order to have empathy for your patients, you must first have empathy and compassion for yourself. One very effective method in preventing emotional distress is mindfulness or meditation—the practice of becoming more conscious and calm in the present moment. Studies at Harvard University show this simple practice not only diminished stress, but greatly increased memory, decision-making, and empathy—all essential skills for physicians. Furthermore, physicians who practice mindfulness not only have better job satisfaction, but also face fewer malpractice suits. Now there’s an incentive for both you and your patients! Source
