By Rafael J. Fernandez, Jr., MD
During the last few years, there has been a dispute regarding what attributes a physician must process to excel in the practice of medicine. Beginning in medical school, students develop and expand their knowledge base as well as perfect their ability to think deductively. Mastering these skills will significantly increase the probability of being an effective physician. This concept is reinforced by the challenging examinations, including the National Boards, as well as the experiences received while rounding on patients and at educational conferences. This concept is further reinforced as one advances in their training and perpetuated not only by the medical education system but also imposed by the expectations set by the community. It has also been shown, however, that there is more to being a successful physician than having an incredible memory to regurgitate information and extraordinary ability in deductive reasoning. There are other areas that are no less important but are not learned in science books that significantly contribute to becoming a successful physician.
An article written by Brenda Murphy for the AMA stressed what traits they believe makes physicians successful. A survey conducted by Dr. Ami L. De Waters and a team of educators from Penn State, Virginia Tech, Kaiser Permanente, Allegheny Health Network, and Geisinger concluded that to be successful, physicians, should in addition to their knowledge of medicine, possess eight (8) characteristics, which they describe as “system citizenship.” The concept is defined as having critical thinking skills and the mindset to contribute to the holistic needs of patients and the health system in order to achieve the best outcomes. In management, this is called “system perspective.”
The characteristics they describe in their “system citizenship” are as follows:
- Generous, selfless, humble, adaptable, and resolute.
- Express values that drive behaviors “above and beyond” their colleagues’ expectations.
- Are intentional about – and expert at teaming.
- Be calm in the “eye of the storm.”
- Employ a wide array of creative systems thinking skills to solve problems.
- Have exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.
- Teach systems-based practice as part of clinical care.
- Capable of identifying personal and professional mentors as key for professional development.
Physicians view the practice of medicine as a journey driven by a commitment of lifelong learning. Articles like Ms. Murphy’s identify other characteristics which may help physicians succeed in a healthcare system which is driven by technology, data, and deadlines within a labyrinth of bureaucracy. I never forgot my Residency Director’s message at graduation “to be successful, you need to be able, affable, and available, but do not forget to be compassionate to the human being you are treating because there are conditions which need more than science to be successfully healed.”
Dr. Rafael J. Fernandez, Jr., is President of Dade County Medical Association.
