Dr. Z

I have started to see some of the essential qualities needed to become a good primary care doctor.  I have learned that the practice of medicine is as much art as it is science, and certain doctors have really mastered this art form. 

The ability to develop a rapport with patients that often have a great distrust of other people, takes time, patience, compromise, and often a tremendous amount of flexibility.  We see patients that one day are raving about their doctor and the next day want nothing to do with them. 

I also see a tremendous amount of flexibility in the care for our patients.  While a patient might have uncontrolled diabetes, liver disease, methamphetamine or heroin addiction, that might not be their main concern when they come into the clinic. Their chronic pain, neuropathy or depression might be more important to them on that day. The physician has to prioritize care, knowing when to treat the patients primary concerns, but also knowing when to bring up other serious health problems that the patient might not want to deal with.  

The art of patient care is truely seen here: knowing how to discuss a patient's health problems without alienating them; finding practical ways to treat these problems, i.e. with drugs they will adhere too, and harm reduction approaches that will keep them engaged in care.