Question about sociability and being a doctor

[mitrieD]

So I've noticed that I'm not the most social type, but I am polite and I respect people around me. My concern is that I've noticed that people in general kind of avoid me. I have good hygiene but I'm assuming it's because of a vibe I must be giving off. I have trouble making friends even though I have a few. My question is, will this prevent me from becoming a functional and successful physician? If I don't have the personality that generally attracts people will I have a very hard time having any clientele? Like I said I am not rude to people and I dress normally. Maybe I come off as a little weird. Maybe it's a sign that I should never open up my own practice? Advice wanted.

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[Donald Juan]

Lots of doctors are weird or introverted. They do fine, and working with people is a skill you can develop, not just something you have or don't.

Now, if you hate working with the general public then you might be better off in a specialty likes rads or path.

 

[akwho]

So I've noticed that I'm not the most social type, but I am polite and I respect people around me. My concern is that I've noticed that people in general kind of avoid me. I have good hygiene but I'm assuming it's because of a vibe I must be giving off. I have trouble making friends even though I have a few. My question is, will this prevent me from becoming a functional and successful physician? If I don't have the personality that generally attracts people will I have a very hard time having any clientele? Like I said I am not rude to people and I dress normally. Maybe I come off as a little weird. Maybe it's a sign that I should never open up my own practice? Advice wanted.

From this post alone I wouldn't choose a career where you have to manage your own panel of patients (ie FM, peds, ob, any surgical specialities). Nothing wrong with being a little weird, can still be a great doctor. May just want to choose a career like Path, Rads, or Anesthesia.

 

[VincentAdultman]

At worst rads, path, anesthesia, internal medicine (hospitalist don't have to worry about attracting patients; the ER will handle that for you) and surgery (we're all antisocial lol jk) are valid career options.

 

[VincentAdultman]

It's also not like introverts have never had a successful practice.

 

[Cura_te_ipsum]

So I've noticed that I'm not the most social type, but I am polite and I respect people around me. My concern is that I've noticed that people in general kind of avoid me. I have good hygiene but I'm assuming it's because of a vibe I must be giving off. I have trouble making friends even though I have a few. My question is, will this prevent me from becoming a functional and successful physician? If I don't have the personality that generally attracts people will I have a very hard time having any clientele? Like I said I am not rude to people and I dress normally. Maybe I come off as a little weird. Maybe it's a sign that I should never open up my own practice? Advice wanted.

Go see a witch doctor and have a spell broken...or invest in social skills? what does a necklace of garlic run these days?

Seriously... most physicians suck at interpersonal skills. Specialists are generally the worse while primary care types tend to be more affable

Or you could just change.

No one wants to see a physician who is a drip especially when they are paying big bucks.

 

[mitrieD]

Okay thanks guys

 

[Mad Jack]

Half of doctors are pretty weird at baseline. I wouldn't worry about it, there's room in medicine for all types.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Half of doctors are pretty weird at baseline. I wouldn't worry about it, there's room in medicine for all types.

I know radiology has been mentioned here, and my following remark will be an advertisement of my specialty.

Radiology has room for all sorts of personality types. From my experience, radiologists have been among the more laid-back types who are great to shoot the **** with.

 

[ReapPremed]

.

 

[FlowRate]

Depends whether your weirdness is present in clinical situations. A lot of introverts actually do well in clinical roles because of the structured, 1:1 nature of the interaction.

If you're weird with patients, tho, there are other things you can be doing. Gas is not one of them as mentioned above -- there are very acute interpersonal skills required in gas.

 

[Goro]

So I've noticed that I'm not the most social type, but I am polite and I respect people around me. My concern is that I've noticed that people in general kind of avoid me. I have good hygiene but I'm assuming it's because of a vibe I must be giving off. I have trouble making friends even though I have a few. My question is, will this prevent me from becoming a functional and successful physician? If I don't have the personality that generally attracts people will I have a very hard time having any clientele? Like I said I am not rude to people and I dress normally. Maybe I come off as a little weird. Maybe it's a sign that I should never open up my own practice? Advice wanted.

Get a job in a service industry for a few years.
If you're giving off a negative vibe, it might come across as interviews.
Do you have close friends? If so, ask them for honest advice.

 

[Skiiiiiing]

85% of your interactions with a generalized other is just reflecting back your attitude and self esteem

 

[WingedOx]

You're on an internet forum, so pretty much everyone responding to you is here as an alternative to actually talking to real people.

 

[altblue]

IDK the fact that you list good hygiene as a positive and also only describe a general vibe you give off could be somewhat telling. You might need more feedback from friends on what to improve on and need to get more social experience