Every aspiring physician knows the importance of memorization, especially in the basic science years. As you advance in your career, however, communication skills come to the forefront. Physicians with poor communication skills are more likely to be sued. (Virshup) They are more likely to be disciplined by the medical board. They may not receive as many professional referrals from colleagues or word-of-mouth referrals from patients.
Successful communication requires establishing a connection and imparting a message. Successful patient care does not end with gathering data from your patient. It revolves around imparting that information to the entire team that is involved in patient care: your team members, the consulting physicians, the nurses, the patient and family members, and even the cafeteria, among others. (The patients allergies include a history of anaphylaxis to shrimp.)
Third year students, in the midst of early clinical rotations, quickly recognize the importance of communication. Memorization may be a crucial skill for those taking exams and receiving grades based on an objective test score. However, when receiving a subjective grade based on your ability to take care of patients, ones ability to communicate with patients, to establish rapport with colleagues, and to impart medical information, become important indicators of communication skills.
