Learning clinical knowledge in medical school is one thing, but what truly defines a doctor is what comes next. While physicians must know the ins and outs of their specialty, they must also have soft skills.
Doctors should know all sorts of things, from conducting a physical exam to effectively communicating with patients. So, if you’ve ever wondered, What skills do you need to be a doctor?, you’re not alone.
Below, explore a breakdown of the clinical, interpersonal and digital skills PCPs need to thrive today.
Clinical Skills
As a doctor, there are quite a few technical things you need to know. These make up your clinical skills, or your ability to diagnose and treat patients. With that in mind, here are some of the medical skills you should have:
- Performing an exam: Doctors must be able to gather accurate information, obtain a medical history and perform an exam. You should also know how to order appropriate diagnostic studies and make referrals.
- Identifying knowledge gaps: Despite years of schooling, there’s always more to learn. Physicians should be able to identify and fix knowledge gaps, such as through continuing education.
- Creating patient care plans: Doctors must make informed treatment decisions and develop care plans that consider the patient’s needs and values. You should also know how to implement and explain the plan to the patient so they understand what’s expected of them.
- Thinking critically: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are vital to primary care. You have to assess the situation and reach a conclusion quickly, based on the patient’s medical history and the present problem.
As a whole, these abilities contribute to your work ethic, which is a commitment to excellent care. Additionally, staying up to date with the latest advancements in your field can help you continue to enhance your clinical skills.
Interpersonal Skills
While schooling focuses on honing medical knowledge, you also must know how to interact with patients and colleagues. Soft skills, such as communication and emotional connection, play a significant role in your day-to-day.
Interpersonal skills doctors should cultivate include:
- Communication: You should be able to exchange information and collaborate with both colleagues and patients. Consider cultural differences and social determinants of health to help patients make informed decisions. Or, try using conversation starters to help patients feel more comfortable.
- Emotional intelligence: Empathy and compassion are central to the work that you do. Improving your emotional skills helps you understand and connect with patients, building rapport. Often, acknowledging how the person feels can reduce anxiety and increase treatment adherence.
- Nonverbal skills: In some cases, a patient may feel hesitant to speak up or share more. When this happens, you may need to rely on nonverbal cues—body language, facial expressions, gestures and eye contact—to pick up on what’s left unsaid.
Remember that while you might feel comfortable talking about taboo topics or using medical terminology, your patient may not. However, with well-developed interpersonal skills, you can learn to communicate effectively with them.
Digital Skills
The days of using a pen and paper for the majority of your work are over. Now, it’s your job to master the various digital tools at your fingertips to help make healthcare more accessible and convenient. Here’s how digital skills apply to doctors:
- Electronic health records (EHRs): Patient data—from medical history to test results—is increasingly digital. You should know how to access and share patient information and use built-in messaging features.
- Telehealth: You must know how to optimize telehealth within your practice. Video conferencing lets you easily communicate with patients when they’re unable to come into the office. Other tech, like remote monitoring devices, collects health data without requiring in-office visits.
- AI: Artificial intelligence tools are continuing to grow in popularity, including in healthcare. For example, many offices have already adopted ambient clinical documentation, in which AI transcribes the appointment and generates clinical notes. You should know how to operate these tools and verify their accuracy.
Technology changes frequently, so it’s essential to learn new systems as they come.
If you’re looking to brush up on any of these skills, from clinical know-how to AI in the workplace, continuing medical education (CME) can help. Browse in-person and online seminars today to stay up to date on the latest developments.