Being a Doctor

Understanding Medical Practice

Being a Doctor is much more than simply providing medical care. This book aims to increase the resilience and wellness of doctors, helping the profession to provide better care for patients, through a deep and thoughtful approach to clinical work. It explores areas that can challenge clinicians in all stages of their career: the doctor - patient relationship, adverse outcomes, the 'heartsink' experience, and functional illness. The authors also introduce self-care of the doctor and patient safety, two important issues for modern medicine. This is a unique text that draws links between the philosophy of modern medicine and clinical tasks such as consulting skills, the doctor patient relationship, patient safety, reflective practice and doctors' self care. It is written in an accessible style and is firmly grounded in real-life clinical and teaching experience. The authors believe each doctor, as a person, is inseparable from the task of delivering medical care. Enhancing our ability to deliver that care is essential for patients, communities and society. Just as patients need 'whole person' care, the profession needs 'whole person' doctors. Being a doctor, and deriving meaning from clinical experience, are at the heart of this book.