Are you considering working in palliative care but unsure if it’s right for you? Working as a palliative care physician requires more than a medical degree. The ability to communicate effectively with your patients and maintain a sense of professionalism are just a few other needs. This article reviews a few important traits you can strengthen as a palliative care physician.
What Exactly Is a Palliative Care Physician (& What Do They Do?)
A palliative care physician works specifically with patients with life-threatening diseases. They are involved in the education and pain management of the patient. Rather than coming up with a treatment plan, palliative care physicians work to maximize a patient’s quality of life. Palliative care physicians have medical degrees plus additional residency training working with palliative care patients.
5 Necessary When working as a Palliative Care Physician
To work as a palliative care physician, you’ll need much more than a medical degree. Certain personality traits will help you do well in your job and cope with the challenges better.
Here are a few of the most important traits of a palliative care physician:
1- Communication
Palliative care physicians are typically good communicators. They’re often in charge of educating the patient and their families on their condition. Care physicians will also work closely with other medical providers, ensuring the patient receives the best palliative care possible. The ability to communicate can also help with setting expectations.
2- Active Listening
The ability to listen is just as important as communication skills for a palliative care physician. The ability to actively listen or go beyond the simple act of basic listening can help physicians create deeper, more meaningful relationships with their patients. Good active listening skills also help physicians demonstrate understanding and empathy while making the patient feel like they’re being heard.
Being nonjudgmental is also important when working as a physician. Patients will often turn to their physicians with questions or concerns. Sometimes, active listening is paying attention to nonverbal cues from patients, too. Physicians who have the ability to recognize body language and other nonverbal behaviors are often in a position to help their patients more.
3- Empathy and Compassion
Empathy and compassion are also very important when working as a palliative care physician. Physicians work closely with patients who may be experiencing pain or potentially life-threatening conditions. The ability to put yourself in your patient’s situation can help you offer better, more comprehensive medical care.
In fact, numerous research studies show that physician empathy is a requirement for patient satisfaction and managing feelings of anxiety and stress. Some studies even show that when physicians are empathetic with their patients, the patients are more likely to adhere to the given medical plan.
4- Professionalism
Working as any physician also requires professionalism. Professionalism in the medical industry helps promote patient safety and mutual respect among all team members. Physicians often work with other medical care professionals when treating a patient, including nurses, dieticians, pain management professionals, and physical therapists. Confidentiality is also crucial when working with patient information, especially due to HIPAA laws. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the ethical and professional requirements of working as a physician is also an excellent way to strengthen your physician resume.
Professionalism is also important to employers. Hospitals and health clinics expect physicians working under their name to always demonstrate professionalism and dedication. In fact, professionalism is one of the most important traits that hiring managers seek when recruiting for palliative care physician jobs.
5- Knowledgeable
Of course, being knowledgeable in the specific area you work as a physician is also a must. Working as a physician requires ongoing training. All states require continuing education, but physicians should continue learning about conditions or specialties to further their patient care capabilities. When working as a physician, it’s also important to accept that you can’t know everything. Knowing when to refer to a specialist or consult with a coworker can be just as important as expanding your knowledge.
Physicians have many opportunities for continuing education, including online courses, seminars, conferences, or publications. Keeping up with the latest research also allows palliative care physicians to offer their patients the most recent symptom management tips. Building your network of other team members and experts in the industry early can also help you in your career.
Working as a palliative care physician can be stressful yet rewarding. You’ll work with patients and their families during one of the most difficult times of their lives. Yet, you’ll also be the resource they turn to for assistance. Palliative care physicians with certain traits, including empathy and communication skills, tend to adjust and succeed more frequently in their careers.