What does doctor professionalism look like to you?
Doctor professionalism is a hotly debated topic in the medical field. From dress code to conduct, physicians are constantly toeing the line between being relatable and professional; between humility and authority.
Of course, given the fact that all patients have different personalities and preferences, it’s hard to know which approach is best. Here are some of the recent conversations taking place in the world of medicine about doctor professionalism so you can decide for yourself.
Dressing the part
Most assume that wearing a white coat is a non-negotiable for doctors. But more and more, residents and physicians alike are opting out of the standard dress code. Many doctors feel it impedes their ability to form a genuine relationship with their patients. Others choose not to wear it due to sanitary concerns given the frequency it’s worn.
When asked how patients felt about it, the reactions were mixed. Some said it helped them relax more when talking to a normal human being, while others felt it made the doctor more difficult to trust. Still, many in the healthcare department have uniforms which distinguish them, not just for their own vanity, but so patients can easily recognize who to turn to for help. But depending on the hospital you work at, the choice might not be yours to make.
Expressing emotion
Physicians are always encouraged to show emotion and empathy in order to better relate to their patients. However, some doctors take this to the extreme, bringing doctor professionalism into question. Studies over the past few years show 2-3% of doctors engage in angry behavior while working. Apart from costing a few physicians their jobs, this has a trickle down effect—negatively impacting both patients and other physicians.
This raises the bigger question of how much physicians should show emotion on the job. While they’re certainly not robots, they are often held to a higher, more rational standard than the patients they treat. Though angry outbursts should never be tolerated, perhaps we should see anger as a symptom of a larger issue. Extreme fatigue, 80-hour weeks, night shifts, and depression are bound to manifest in one form or another. Providing physicians with healthier, more productive ways of processing their frustrations would go a long way towards finding a professional balance.
Calling out sick
When physicians feel under the weather, they can’t just call in sick like everyone else. It’s been ingrained in most of them since medical school that doing so is unprofessional and puts undue burden on the other physicians and patients. So while they advise their patients to stay home and rest, they are expected to push through.
Ironically, unrealistic doctor professionalism forced upon physicians ends up achieving less than professional results—angry outbursts, medical errors, apathy, and burnout, to name a few. Perhaps, doing what’s really best for their patients is putting their oxygen masks on first.
Through June 30, we’re offering 15% off all our USMLE Step 1 course options; get started now.
The post What Constitutes Doctor Professionalism? appeared first on Residency Secrets.