Humility in medicine: keep learning, be patient-centered, and be true to our calling in healthcare. These are our best practices.
Dr. Neel Desai is a co-founder of MedFlashGo and a contributor at the Happy Doc Podcast. His training in family medicine has been a unique experience and has helped to shape his views on academic medicine and healthcare. He prefers to be proactive than reactive in his role as a primary care physician and wishes to empower patients with tools and education. He argues that the current model of healthcare is outdated and advocates that we start Teaching, Learning, Creating and Practicing medicine in the century we live in.
One of the most important keys to take away from Neel’s medical and educational philosophy is to show humility. All too often physicians – and even students – may take on a paternal role or let their ego get in the way of their patient interactions. Cynicism is all too common in healthcare due to the stresses we all endure. Checking one’s ego at the door and truly listening to one another and to our patients is the only way to move to a more patient-centered and be true to our calling in healthcare.
One last point to remember is that we need to enjoy every aspect we can from each rotation. Even if we do not see ourselves in that specialty or profession in the future, there is valuable information to be gained if we stick with an open and positive mindset. You also never know what curve-ball life may throw at you or a loved one. Absorb all of the information you can while you can. You may not have another opportunity to do so.
You can reach Neel via email or @TheHappyDoc on social media.
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Note: All summaries are host interpretations and are not intended to reflect direct statements made by guests or mentioned associations.
