Qualities Every Good Health Care Provider Should Have

I think we all have certain expectations of someone that is caring for our health both mentally and physically yet it seems that it is difficult to ascertain that level of achievement when we are not satisfied with just the basic skills of communication which, in my opinion, is probably the best optimal level of care that can be given to anyone.

As a health care provider in the medical industry for over 20 years I know what it is like to be on both ends of the spectrum. I have seen myself as a medical provider, a patient and a family member of someone that is ill. Over the years I have seen and heard many different stories from friends and family and through this I have learned what qualities make for a good health care provider.

Good Listening Skills

It does not matter in what field that you are working in it is so very important to have great listening skills. As a patient it is very uncomfortable to try and share a story knowing that the person caring for you is not paying attention. This can be easily detected by anyone. The mere expressions of your face can give away the fact that someone is not taking the time to listen to your very own personal story. Again being at both ends I have felt the impact of not being heard and the wrath of those that may feel that I am not giving my full attention to a very important matter.

Setting Realistic Goals

Each and everyone one of us have daily issues and crisis. It is unfair for a health care provider to set goals on an individual that will not be met. The most important tool in this area is to keep the lines of communication open. Again this is where listening will prove to one of the best medical treatments that can be offered. Anyone can tell someone to do anything, however if it is just not capable of happening it will not work. That is the bottom line. As a medical provider it is prudent to learn a little about the person that needs the care. This in turn will allow a real approach on handling any treatment whether it be a diet, an exercise or on how and when to take medications.

Be Kind and Courteous

The biggest flaw in medicine is being rude and disrespectful. I find that most people have a better outcome with medical providers that have great or even just good bedside manners. Everyone working in the medical industry should be there because they want to be. We deal everyday with many types of people and that is no excuse to be unkind to anyone. And this I can say I have learned myself because of how I have been treated. I treat everyone as if they were treating me or a family member of mine. There is absolutely no excuse for a bad attitude in medicine. Most of the people will always remember the kind words that are said by someone caring for them. We may not have all the answers in medicine but showing and expressing kindness and real true empathy for those in need will definitely prove to have a more satisfactory outcome.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Being honest is also crucial in medicine, as health care providers we may not have all the answers that are sought and I believe that it is perfectly fine to admit that. Hopefully, a good medical provider will try and seek the right answers, but initially being truthful is the best way to gain the respect of the ones that are being cared for. At times medicine can prove to be a trial and error especially with medications and as long as there are no drastic impacts of this it is all right to let the patients know this. Not everything will work for everyone but being on the same team and working together a good plan can and will be formulated.

Treat Everyone as an Individual

It is unfair to classify everyone as the same. Every person out there has there own personality along with their own personal issues. So as a medical provider it is crucial to realize that just because certain symptoms are similar to someone else that it must be the same. As I have said before listening is the most crucial part of medicine. Taking the time to hear those words that differentiate us all will allow a medical provider to implement a better plan in treatment and surprisingly enough just the mere fact of having someone to talk to may be all the medicine that is warranted.

Listening and Having The Kindest of Words are Always Remembered

Personally I have become frustrated in the field of medicine because at times it seems that as an individual we are treated as a number and not a person. It is very sad because this is an area where the best quality of care can be given and yet the most basic concepts of life are taken away secondary to money and insurances. When my mother was ill and before she passed on I still remember that the things that she remembered the most about her health care providers were the ones that listened and had the kindest of words to say. And yet they were not the ones that actually implemented her managed care, for those were the ones that tended to be the coldest and had the worst bedside manners around.

So to all of those that can still maintain a great attitude while trying to provide the most optimal of care kudos to you. And for those out there that feel that they are treated unjust by not being listened to or spoken to in a respectful manner I hope that eventually there will be a perfect connection made with someone that can create a more optimal quality of life for you and yet remember that you are still an individual that needs the basics in order to comply with that care as well.