Yes, clinical knowledge, procedural expertise, and bedside manner are important. But what one skill differentiates a good doctor from a truly great doctor?
Curiosity. Learning about your patients, including the details of their lives that aren't strictly medical, “converts strangers (the objects of analysis) into people we can empathize with,” wrote Faith Fitzgerald, MD. “Truly curious people go beyond science into art, history, literature, and language as part of the practice of medicine.”
As pressures to be more efficient threaten to suppress natural curiosity, doctors must never stop being inquisitive, especially about the most “difficult” patients and the ones they least understand.
Read the full FPM article: “What Makes a Doctor Truly Great.”
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the opinions and views of the American Academy of Family Physicians. This blog is not intended to provide medical, financial, or legal advice. All comments are moderated and will be removed if they violate our Terms of Use.