Sensitivity: A strength or a weakness for a physician?

[Akay04]

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Sensitivity: A strength or a weakness for a physician?

 

[dhbighit]

I say definitely a strength. If a physician can't sympathize with his patients, then he won't be able to show them compassion. Sure there are negative to being sensitive, like the possibility of getting to attached to a patient, however, I think we always need physicians that aren't afraid to sympathize with a patient and show them that they truly understand and truly care.

 

[Ivory12]

If you read On Call by Emily Transue, M.D. there is a line in there where she says something to the effect of, "The day I stop caring is the day I leave medicine."

 

[DenaliView]

One of the best books I have read in a long time.... currently in the middle of her second book Patient by Patient and it is just as good. I think their is a misconception that some people have that to be a good doctor you need to be able to forgo some of the sensitivity and become cold hearted to deal with the day to day. Probably to some truth to that but I would hope that one would not have to completely loose themselves to make the transformation into a good physician.

 

[Law2Doc]

Sensitivity: A strength or a weakness for a physician?

This is a no brainer. If you aren't compassionate and trying to do what's best for your patients, and feeling sad when things don't go well for them, you don't belong in the field. You will get jaded to a degree -- after you deal with enough folks who are clearly drug seeking, or enough folks dying of diabetes who don't get that drinking a 2 liter Pepsi is against the rules. But I don't think you can ever get to the point that you don't give a darn, and still be an effective doctor.

 

[8744]

Sensitivity: A strength or a weakness for a physician?

A weakness. You need to be a good listener and more importantly, have the ability to ask useful questions; and you also need to be polite and respectful but sensitivity? Over-rated. Better to be bland and dispassionate than to get weepy and all up into the patient's multicultural ****.

 

[enjoydrywax]

A weakness. You need to be a good listener and more importantly, have the ability to ask useful questions; and you also need to be polite and respectful but sensitivity? Over-rated. Better to be bland and dispassionate than to get weepy and all up into the patient's multicultural ****.

I whole-heartedly agree. However, if asked this question in an interview, I would lie/bull**** my ass off and probably say something like the first few posters in this thread.

 

[DenaliView]

Just noticing that the first few posts are coming from Pre-meds.... and then LawtoDoc being a med student.... and the tone changes once you get to the resident... makes me wonder what ejoydrywax is. I hear that it is nearly impossible to not feel differently about your patients after residency. 🙁

 

[enjoydrywax]

Just noticing that the first few posts are coming from Pre-meds.... and then LawtoDoc being a med student.... and the tone changes once you get to the resident... makes me wonder what ejoydrywax is. I hear that it is nearly impossible to not feel differently about your patients after residency. 🙁

I'm a pre-med right in the middle of this application cycle, but I have seen enough doctors in their element to know that sensitivity is not required to excel in this field.

 

[TheBateman]

like omg dont you premeds watch House. u cant be sensitive. phail1!!lul!

 

[CarrieBad]

I'm a pre-med right in the middle of this application cycle, but I have seen enough doctors in their element to know that sensitivity is not required to excel in this field.

I have seen lots of docs who weren't at all sensitive, and many who are. Without exception, the sensitive docs were much better. The challenge to to relate to your patients without being overwhelmed by it.

Why go into medicine if you don't care about your patients!?

 

[enjoydrywax]

I have seen lots of docs who weren't at all sensitive, and many who are. Without exception, the sensitive docs were much better. The challenge to to relate to your patients without being overwhelmed by it.

Why go into medicine if you don't care about your patients!?

To each his own, I suppose. I know in my case, I like my doctors to be cold, insensitive and to the point. That kind of doctor would probably put me to ease because I'd know this guy/girl means business and wants to get to the bottom of things without any frilly boo-hoo weep on my shoulder BS. However, I will qualify this by saying that's how I like a lot of things in life.

I also don't think that caring about one's patients has anything to do with sensitivity. I can still be insensitive and care about my patients.

 

[searun]

A weakness. You need to be a good listener and more importantly, have the ability to ask useful questions; and you also need to be polite and respectful but sensitivity? Over-rated. Better to be bland and dispassionate than to get weepy and all up into the patient's multicultural ****.

I hope that money does not corrupt you. Keep driving that crappy car. Keep your kids grounded. Eat a steak once in awhile, I mean a good steak, but damn, do not turn into Ralph Nader.

 

[Algophiliac]

like omg dont you premeds watch House. u cant be sensitive. phail1!!lul!

Wouldn't you rather have a doctor who did WHATEVER it took to heal you rather than a doctor who cared too much to take the necessary risks? The best doctors are those who (no duh) have sympathy in moderation. Think Doctor Cox instead of House. 😎 He may not treat his patients like precious jewels, but he cares enough to get them the treatment they need.
House is just a brilliant damaged romantic.


Sensitivity is defined as:

1. Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses.
2. Responsive to external conditions or stimulation.
3. Susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.
4. Quick to take offense; touchy.
5. Easily irritated.

So, just as with any word...the POSITIVES of sensitivity sound great, don't they? Not sure how great those last two would look, though.

EDIT: And to address #3...the patient does NOT want a doctor who weeps and mourns for them--that's the family's job. Patients want a strong, intelligent, and dedicated doctor who can get the job done without letting his feelings GET IN THE WAY. Care all you want, just don't let it interfere with your work.

 

[mterp45]

SENSITIVITY???? THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!! 😡

 

[tacrum43]

I think it's a strength in moderation, but a weakness if too little or too much.

You can also be sensitive while remaining professional.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Somebody define sensitivity, because right now I'm rephrasing this thread in my head as:

"Being a Big Giant P**** Who Cries When People Die and Gives Money to Drug Addict Patients That Tell a Good Sob Story: A strength or weakness for a physician?"

According to my school's administration: a definite plus, with extra points awarded if you cry with the drug addict after he tells you the sob story. Then when someone tells you the guy is in every other week, you explain yourself by saying, "I was just trying to be like Paul Farmer."

 

[turkeyjerky]

I hope that money does not corrupt you. Keep driving that crappy car. Keep your kids grounded. Eat a steak once in awhile, I mean a good steak, but damn, do not turn into Ralph Nader.

When was the last time you ever read anything Ralph Nader has written? Or heard one of his speeches?

"Weepy" is not a word I would use to describe Ralph Nader.

 

[DrYoda]

"Weepy" is not a word I would use to describe Ralph Nader.

Although it does describe many of his followers quite well.





Damn, how did this thread evaded me so long? Absolutely hysterical.

 

[1985psych]

I have a question...would sensitivity hinder you in med school? I often hear that in med school you get belittled and constantly challenged...would being sensitive make you more likely to take these things personally and make you have a harder time in med school/residency?

 

[LMAOwais]

balance is key, as i've learned is the case with so many things in life.

 

[kansaskid]

I think maybe "sensitive" is not the best word to use for the characteristic that we're talking about here. Perhaps "empathy" is what doctors should strive for while maintaining professionalism and and outward impassivity. Being sensitive has too many negative external connotations (like weepiness 🙂) whereas exhibiting empathy would just show a patient that you care and understand their situation, but are not so emotionally affected by it that it disrupts your ability to do your job.