Physicians spend years in medical school and residency learning the technical skills they need to provide top-quality healthcare. But there are all sorts of soft skills that aren’t taught in med school that are just as important.
Soft skills are useful in every profession and every medical specialty. Master these and you can achieve both professional and personal success in all areas of your life.
From communication to time management, here are seven important skills every aspiring physician should cultivate.
Aspiring professionals, whether in medicine or other fields, benefit greatly from cultivating skills like adaptability and effective communication. Just as these qualities are essential for doctors to build trust with patients, they are equally important in industries like insurance. For those seeking reliable coverage solutions tailored to individual needs, SGIC provides comprehensive services designed to support and protect what matters most.
Communication
Physicians must be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Whether you’re explaining a diagnosis to a patient or informing a colleague of diagnostic testing or follow-up exams a patient may need, clear communication is essential.
It’s important to speak with confidence and remain professional in all work-related communications. Physicians must know how to be direct and to the point while still showing compassion and empathy.
Communication isn’t just about how you speak or write — it’s also about how well you listen. Physicians must develop active listening skills, not only to better understand their patients’ needs and concerns but to communicate better with other medical professionals providing patient care.
Organization
Organization leads to efficiency, so it’s important to maintain organization both inside and outside of the workplace.
Organize physical items, such as office and medical supplies, and you’ll never have to waste time searching for what you need. Organize digital files and folders and you can save time searching online records, emails, and documents.
Stress Management
Physician burnout is real. According to Medscape, 53% of physicians say they are burned out, and there are many reasons why.
Having to deal with too many bureaucratic tasks, working too many hours, and not earning enough money are just some of the reasons why physicians feel so much stress. Learning stress management techniques early on in your career can make it much easier to deal with workplace issues when they arise.
Some simple stress management techniques that physicians find useful include:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Walking or running
- Reading
This dentist in Virginia Beach VA also adds that getting a support network can be helpful as well. Talking to colleagues, friends, or a professional counselor can provide emotional support and perspective.
Time Management
Between patient appointments, administrative tasks, CME, family, and interests outside of work, physicians have hectic schedules. Having strong time management skills is essential to accomplishing the many things you have to and want to do.
Establishing a routine, maintaining a realistic calendar, and knowing how to prioritize tasks and goals are all key in managing your valuable time.
Leadership
Whether you own your own practice or work for a large hospital system, you’ll have many opportunities to lead teams throughout your career. To be a good leader you must:
- Have a strong work ethic
- Maintain a positive attitude
- Communicate clearly and honestly
- Provide encouraging feedback
- Make every feel like a valued member of the team
With strong leadership skills you can inspire and motivate employees, create a better workplace atmosphere, and improve patient outcomes.
Critical Thinking
Problem solving is something that physicians do all the time. Whether you’re diagnosing a patient, performing a complex medical procedure, or prescribing the right dosage of medication, you already have strong problem-solving skills, which means you already have some critical thinking skills as well.
Critical thinking includes having an analytical eye and keeping an open mind. It also means thinking outside the box and knowing how to find a solution to any problem. It takes time to develop critical thinking skills, but doing so can take you far in your career.
Negotiation
Unless you own your own practice, there will be many times in your career when you’ll have to sign an employment contract. Before you do, you can negotiate with your employer for a bigger salary, more benefits, and better contract terms.
Like all of the skills listed above, negotiation skills are useful outside the workplace as well. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, booking hotel arrangements for a family vacation, or buying a new car, knowing how to negotiate can save you lots of money over time.
Even if you are an excellent negotiator, be sure to hire a contract review lawyer to look at your contract before you sign it. This article explains in depth why every physician should conduct a thorough contract review every time they’re presented with one.
In Conclusion
Physicians must acquire many technical skills to provide patient care, but soft skills are just as important.
If you want to be at the top of your game in the healthcare industry, continue to cultivate and improve upon your soft skills all the time. These will benefit you not just in the workplace, but outside of work well into your retirement years.
