What is the most important quality of a healthcare provider?

Quality of care is the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes.  It is based on evidence-based professional knowledge and is critical for achieving universal health coverage. As countries commit to achieving Health for All, it is imperative to carefully consider the quality of care and health services.  Quality health care can be defined in many ways but there is growing acknowledgement that quality health services should be:

• Effective – providing evidence-based healthcare services to those who need them;
• Safe – avoiding harm to people for whom the care is intended; and
• People-centred – providing care that responds to individual preferences, needs and values.

To realize the benefits of quality health care, health services must be:

• Timely – reducing waiting times and sometimes harmful delays;
• Equitable – providing care that does not vary in quality on account of gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and socio-economic status;
• Integrated – providing care that makes available the full range of health services throughout the life course;
• Efficient – maximizing the benefit of available resources and avoiding waste.

In practice

The Sustainable Development Goals urge countries to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health care services. However, the reality in many settings is that providing quality care remains a significant challenge, and inadequate quality results in avoidable mortality, human suffering and significant economic losses.

While challenges to improving the quality of care are substantial, the need for action is clear, and many countries are making progress to build quality into their health systems. The WHO-World Bank-OECD report –  Delivering quality health services – highlights the need for action across multiple stakeholders at all health system levels. The provision of quality services requires good governance; a skilled and competent health workforce that is supported and motivated; financing mechanisms that enable and encourage quality care; information systems that continuously monitor and learn to drive better care; medicines, devices and technologies that are available, safe and appropriately regulated; and accessible and well-equipped healthcare facilities.

WHO, World Bank and the OECD have proposed a series of actions from key constituencies – governments, health systems, citizens and patients, and health workers – that need to work together to achieve the goal of quality health service delivery at the front line. 

The importance of healthcare has been highlighted now that the world is in the middle of a pandemic. Healthcare systems across the globe had to come up with different means to upgrade their service and cater to the evolving needs of the people. With contact restrictions brought by the coronavirus, our access to healthcare was greatly affected. This current pandemic has been extra challenging not only to patients but also to doctors and other healthcare providers. Their efforts in fulfilling their duties in these challenging times has been remarkable. On the positive side, companies and healthcare providers such as Providertech have come up with innovative systems and platforms in order for patients to have easy access with their doctors and medical professionals.

Quality healthcare does not only require top-grade facilities, breakthrough research and development in various fields of study, and discovery of effective and safe medicines but also professional and trained healthcare providers such as doctors and nurses. No matter how structured the healthcare system is, without the help of doctors, delivery of quality healthcare cannot be possible. Doctors, being one of the primary players, have an exceptional role in the field of healthcare provision.

Qualities of a good doctor

1. Is competent

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Sound scholarly and medical training is the primary requirement for a doctor. In order to provide correct means of care to their patient, he must have enough knowledge in their field of practice. They must also have studied and obtained license/s from verified and trusted institutions in order for them to have credibility in their practice.

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2. Is a good communicator

Communication plays a big role in the process of healthcare provision. Both patient and provider must know how to communicate themselves in order to achieve the desired end result.. They need to extract all necessary and important information from their patients and in return, they also need to communicate the correct diagnosis, explanation of medical procedures, and even instructions on medicine intake to their patients.

3. Prioritizes the welfare of patients

The main priority of a doctor is the patient. All other things must be set aside when the life and well-being of a patient is at risk. The doctor, being the primary advocate for the patient, must know this. No monetary, commercial, or personal interest should hinder the doctor in providing quality healthcare that prioritizes the welfare of patients.

4. Is empathetic

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Being able to put oneself in the shoes of others is a sign of wisdom. Among all people, doctors should be on top of the list of those who master the art of empathy. They should be able to understand the condition their patients are in so they can provide the suitable way of treatment for them. Being able to understand their patients and the situation they are in can help doctors provide better treatment and care to them.

5. Is honest

Doctors should only be declaring facts and information backed up by data. They need to communicate the true diagnosis and way of treatment to their patients. A high level of transparency is expected from doctors. This way, it will not be difficult to gain trust from patients.

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6. Is a team player

The success of a medical procedure is not only dependent on one person but with different stakeholders inside the clinic or hospital. A good and well-trained doctor should know how to communicate with these individuals or departments in order to achieve the desired end results.

7. Is organized

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Schedule of medicine intake, schedule of next appointment, how long should the medication be taken, are just some of the many instructions usually given by doctors. A professional physician must be able to communicate these to their patients in an orderly manner. They should also be able to provide a thorough explanation of their patients’ medical condition in a clear and concise manner. Multi-tasking is also part of a doctor’s daily life. The ability to prioritize urgent matters without sacrificing others is a skill of a good doctor.

8. Is respectful

Patients have high regard for their doctors and are good enough to know how to take care of the trust their patients give them by also being respectful towards them. They should know how to respect every individual that enters their clinic or office. Being a licensed physician is not an excuse to be rude and disregard the feelings and emotions of others. Respect can also be shown in giving importance to other people’s time by being present in scheduled appointments. Knowing that these individuals made time to consult with you is enough reason to honor their time as well. Being respectful towards colleagues and other key players in the clinic or hospital is also a manifestation of a good and professional one.

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9. Is passionate

This particular trait is needed in order to survive the hurdles and challenges of medical school and the many licensure examinations that doctors will have in their lifetime. The passion and desire to provide quality health care to people is a true mark of a good doctor.

10. Is a good stress-manager

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Stress and hardships are part of their life. They not only think of themselves or their colleagues but the lives of their patients are literally in their hands. There will be a lot of situations that will require them to make tough calls and decisions that are highly challenging and stressful. Aside from personal stress, they also have to deal with the stress of their patients. He should be able to manage all these and still get the job done.

11. Models a healthy way of living

A good doctor is someone who ‘walks their talk’. They cannot be promoting and advocating for health when their lifestyle says otherwise. They should be the first ones to observe a healthy eating and sleeping pattern, refrain from too much alcohol intake, and avoid activities that are hazardous to one’s health.

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