Medical professionals are constantly learning new information to keep up with the ever-changing industry. This could involve anything from the latest drugs and treatments to making life with autism easier. Whilst the subject matter can be diverse, there are some things that every medical professional should know. In this article, we’ll be discussing 6 subjects that are important whether you’re a doctor, nurse, or someone else.
1. The Need For Regular Training
Ongoing training helps medical professionals keep up with the latest advances in their field. It also allows them to learn new skills and methods, stay current on best practices and receive refresher training. It can help qualified specialists maintain or improve their licenses, and it can provide opportunities for networking and career development.
If you’re responsible for a medical practice or have staff under you, it’s your responsibility to ensure that they receive ongoing instruction, too. You may wish to start first aid training, provide refresher courses, or teach people about emergency first aid. You could provide guidance on CPR, how to use an AED, and discuss care for cuts and scrapes, broken bones, and cardiac emergencies.
2. The Need For Stress Management
There’s no disputing that the field of medicine is one of the most stressful areas to work in. Some factors include:
- Having to make life and death decisions (and quickly)
- Worrying about making mistakes
- Dealing with difficult patients or families
- Long hours, having to work in shifts, and being on-call
If you don’t manage stress, it can lead to burnout. Here are some tips to help you escape this:
- Take breaks during your shift and fully use your holiday entitlement
- Exercise and eat healthily
- Make time for things you enjoy outside of work
- Find a support system – whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues
- Seek professional help if needed
3. The Need For Patient Care
No two patients are alike: even if two people have the same diagnosis, they may respond differently to a treatment. That’s why it’s so important to take a personalized approach when treating each person. Medical professionals need to listen to their patients and understand their unique needs in order to provide the best possible care. Here are some additional tips:
- Get to know your patients, taking the time to learn about their lives, families, and goals. This will help you understand how to best look after them.
- Be open and honest with them because they need to know that they can trust you and that you’re working in their best interest.
- Communicate clearly with your patients. Make sure they comprehend what’s happening every step of the way.
- Be an advocate for your patients. Be their voice when it comes to making decisions about their wellbeing.
- Put yourself in your patient’s shoes. Try to see things from their perspective and understand how they’re feeling.
- Show compassion for your patients. They’re trusting you with their lives, so it’s important that you treat them with care and respect.
4. The Need For Team Working
This is a collaborative process where healthcare professionals from different disciplines work together to provide the best possible care for patients. It’s important because it ensures that all members of the team are aware of each other’s roles and responsibilities and that everyone’s working towards the same goal.
It’s also important to be able to recognize when you need help from others and to ask for it when needed. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to utilize the skills of those around us in order to provide the best care possible.
Lastly, team working is not just about working with those within your own profession. It also includes patients and their families, as they’re an integral part of the team. After all, they’re the ones who know the patient best, and they can offer vital information about their condition.
5. The Need For Clear Communication
When you’re talking to patients, it’s important to use language that they’ll understand. Avoid using medical jargon as much as possible, and take the time to explain things clearly. Patients should never leave your office feeling confused or like they haven’t been heard.
If you’re unclear about something yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification from a colleague. It’s always better to ask for help than to try to guess and end up making a mistake. In medicine, even little errors can have serious consequences.
Here are some more strategies on being an effective communicator:
- Make eye contact and use facial expressions to show that you’re engaged in the conversation.
- Learn about other aspects of body language and how to use it constructively.
- Listen actively and avoid interrupting.
- Repeat back what you’ve heard to ensure that you understand correctly.
- Empathize with how your patient is feeling.
6. The Need For Positivity
No matter what field of medicine you’re in, it is always important to maintain a positive outlook. Patients can sense when their doctor or nurse is negative, and it can make them feel uneasy. Positivity is also contagious, so by remaining upbeat yourself, you can help create a more optimistic environment for everyone involved.
Of course, there’ll be times when things are tough, and it feels like everything’s going wrong. On those days, try to take a step back and remember why you became a medical professional in the first place. Chances are, it was because you want to help people and make a difference in the world. Keep that goal in mind and let it be your source of strength in difficult times. Some positives to regularly remind yourself include:
- You help improve (or even save) people’s lives.
- You work with amazing and talented individuals.
- You help people when they’re at their most vulnerable.
- You earn a regular salary and may have options for promotion and development.
No matter what you do within the field of medicine, these 6 things remain paramount. Whilst you’ve chosen a challenging profession, the rewards can more than compensate. Nothing in this world is as important as human life, and your contribution can be significant and long-lasting.
