What are some qualities all doctors should have?

[doctor in da makin]

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I know every doctor got good grades in college and medical school, and did a bunch of volunteering and shadowing but I feel like someone could do all the studying and volunteer for countless hours and still not be fit for a career as a doctor.

I feel like the only thing that could hold me back, besides my academics, is the fact that I'm not very good with speaking with the mentally ******ed and extremely elderly people. As a doctor, you should be ready for almost anything.

Would this be a problem or is it normal to feel this way at first?

 

[WingedOx]

you get better at it.

 

[Nysor_bttw]

Completely normal. That's why you go to medical school, both to learn the science of medicine but also the art of healing. The second half of your medical education is almost exclusively in clinical rotations where you pick up these skills. Obviously being able to communicate with those who might be a bit challenged is desirable, but you're not an outlier for finding it daunting.

The real question is this: are you not very good at communicating with these groups of people, or do you not want to deal with them? If its the former, that's ok, but if it's the latter you have some developing to do. Doctors only get to choose who they serve to a marginal degree, and you had best be prepared to be thrust out of your comfort zone every day you come to the wards/clinic/ etc. If you find yourself avoiding these interactions, put yourself in a position to get forced exposure. For the elderly, volunteer in hospice. With the mentally handicapped, try volunteering with those that have autism or other mental problems.