Takeaway
Before I begin my career as a healthcare professional, I am working to understand what it means to be clinically excellent. Showing empathy to all and a commitment to continuous learning are essential for providing outstanding care.
Passion in the Medical Profession | November 20, 2024 | 1 min read
By Ismaa'il Eaddy, undergrad student, Cornell University
This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with the CLOSLER editorial team and in the pharmacy at Children’s National Hospital. With this glimpse into healthcare from two different perspectives I gained a better understanding of the world of academic medicine and patient care. As an undergraduate pre-health student, I have limited knowledge about the intricacies of healthcare. However, through careful observation during these experiences, I believe I’ve gained insight about vital traits that allow many healthcare professionals to excel and find meaning in their work while serving patients.
Here are four approaches and behaviors that I witnessed repeatedly among clinically excellent doctors:
1. Be passionate about learning.
Medical knowledge is constantly evolving and growing at an extremely fast rate. The clinicians I saw were especially skilled at incorporating new ideas into their work and practices to deliver outstanding care.
2. Show respect.
Effective communication is the backbone of all interactions and relationships. Respect is fundamental for making others feel comfortable, welcomed, and valued. Respect is conveyed through nonverbal communication. We can be mindful of body language, facial expressions, consistent eye contact, and being “fully present” when conversing. Respectful communication helps put people at ease; this includes asking curious questions and listening closely.
3. Demonstrate empathy
Trying to understand where someone is coming from and how they’re feeling is especially important in a healthcare setting. This summer, I witnessed exceptional members of the medical team not only empathize with patients, but also with caregivers and colleagues. They suspended judgments and avoided making assumptions. They routinely took a step back to consider the scenario from the other person’s perspective.
4. Prioritize well-being.
Working long hours can be both physically and mentally draining. Some of the most outstanding role models that I met shared their routines in wellness practices including exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness practice, and spending quality time and being fully present with friends and family. This allows them to give the best care possible to patients.
As I continue my journey in healthcare, I’ll try my best to incorporate these approaches. Doing so will hopefully ensure that I too can become a valuable member to the healthcare team.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.