by Lynda Lampert

Created on: September 13, 2009

As a registered nurse with two and a half years experience, I have dealt with a few doctors that made me wonder what they learned in medical school. Chemistry, biology, and the like are extremely important, but there are some often overlooked aspects of medical care that should get some attention in medical schools. Here are four areas that I think should be added to medical school curriculums:

Active listening

A doctor is a scientist first and foremost, but I feel that many doctors miss the boat when it comes to effectively talking with patients. I have seen many physicians slip in and out of a room with not much more time than it would take to wash their hands. This does nothing for the mental state of the patient. Some may argue that a doctor that saves your life doesn't need a bedside manner, but I disagree. A doctor who is belligerent and inaccessible discourages his or her patients from actively sharing symptoms that could lead to quicker corrective action. A doctor who doesn't listen to his patients does not truly care about their outcomes - a dangerous attitude for a doctor to have.

End of life care

Doctors need to be cognizant of the wishes of their patients. Not all people want heroic measures at the time of their deaths. Some wish to simply let nature take its course. Conversely, not all ninety year olds are ready to throw in the towel. The point is that a doctor, regardless of his or her own feelings, should be able to accept the decision of a patient or family regarding end of life care. A code situation is not the time to discuss a do not resuscitate order. Doctors need more training in how to broach this subject and how to keep their own views from coloring their judgment.

Basic care

There will likely be some that disagree with me, but I think doctors would learn quite a bit if they were required to help patients with their activities of daily living for at least a week. I am not advocating that they become nurse aides, but there is so much to learn in helping an older woman to the bathroom or assisting a stroke patient to eat. It reminds you that you are caring for people. It removes the distance that some doctors have regarding their patients. I feel that all healthcare workers should have training in basic care skills because those are the things that truly matter. Medications and surgeries have their place, but helping someone to bathe makes you very aware of the fragility of human life. It is a perspective on patients that many doctors are

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