What qualities and skills do you think make a good doctor?

A doctor must have a variety of skills and qualities to provide effective and safe patient care. Above all the medical knowledge, I would say that the most important quality that a doctor should have is empathy. Empathy allows the doctor to be appropriate and sensible in deciding treatment plans for patients, and allows a connection and rapport to be formed between doctor and patient.

A doctor must also be a good communicator. Communication breakdown is the main cause of medical lawsuits, so it is important to be able to communicate with patients so that they understand any information we may give them. Of course this must be a reciprocal relationship, as we must be able to listen and understand any views or opinions that our patient may have, and interact accordingly.