What makes a doctor "good" in your opinion?

Angela Wright said:3. A person who assertively rejects manipulation from a patient in order to communicate and achieve what they want, bypassing medical standards and professional ethics.

I think what the author actually intended to say was:

A good doctor is someone who will assertively refuse a patient attempting to use manipulation to get what they want by bypassing medical standards and professional ethics.

As it’s currently phrased, it reads like this:

"A good doctor is someone who assertively rejects (something or someone) in order to (they, the person) communicate and achieve what they want, bypassing medical standards and professional ethics."

It makes the doctor sound like the one trying to bypass the rules and professional standards. 😉

I don't usually like to play editor, but the meaning shifted completely, and I was genuinely confused when I first read it.

Maria Fisher46 said:Look, you can't possibly dump every single shred of data regarding a medical condition onto someone. It’s just not feasible. There will always be gaps, pieces of the puzzle left on the table. At the end of the day, no doctor on this planet possesses the absolute totality of knowledge concerning any specific disease. Even if a physician were to sit down and recite every last scrap of information they personally hold in their head—down to the very last syllable—it still wouldn't mean the patient is fully acquainted with the entire scope of what they're facing. Knowledge isn't infinite, and neither is a doctor's capacity to relay it. 😉

I think my point is pretty obvious here. A doctor has a fundamental responsibility to lay everything on the table—every single detail regarding the diagnosis, the nature of the illness, and the actual roadmap for treatment. It’s common sense. They need to provide the full picture specifically to prevent these kinds of massive misunderstandings from happening in the first place. 🙂

Melissa James70 said:I'm assuming that's what the author was trying to get at:

A truly great doctor is someone who has the backbone to say "no" when a patient tries to pull strings or manipulate the situation to get exactly what they want, regardless of medical standards or professional ethics.

The way it’s written right now, it reads like this:

A good doctor isn't just someone who knows their way around a medical textbook; they’re someone who actually listens when you speak. It’s easy to find someone with a fancy degree from Johns Hopkins, but finding someone who treats you like a human being instead of just another case number on a clipboard? That’s where it gets tricky. Real care requires more than just a prescription pad—it takes intuition and empathy. person She’s shutting it down, plain and simple. No hesitation, no sugarcoating—just a hard, assertive "no." (something or someone) How would you even begin to approach that? She. She completely shut him out. i She played him like a fiddle. They’re demanding things that fly in the face of everything we know about medical ethics and standard practice.

A doctor is exactly the kind of person who falls apart when someone tries to cut corners or bypass the established standards of the profession. 😉

I’m not usually one to go around correcting people, but the entire meaning was completely warped—honestly, I was just as confused as anyone else when I first read it.

That’s facts. 😁 I should have just put that in parentheses; it would have made things a lot clearer.

Maria Fisher46 said:K

The same logic applies to international options. A doctor can certainly give a recommendation based on the facilities they are personally familiar with, but expecting any single physician to be an expert on every specialized clinic across the globe is just plain impossible.

In my experience working alongside oncologists and patients battling cancer, I’ve encountered only two doctors who actually take initiative—and usually, it's their patients doing the heavy lifting by "Googling" through medical studies and searching for overseas clinics once they feel they’ve hit a dead end with the local options here in the States. Mind you, these doctors specialize in rare tumors, so maybe that explains it. But honestly, it is incredibly rare to see a doctor officially risk their neck by recommending a patient seek treatment abroad just to avoid getting heat from the administration.

This is a massive uphill battle for young residents coming out of training without real-world experience. Our medical education system leaves them essentially stranded; there is almost zero practical application involved, leaving a new doctor on the front lines feeling completely abandoned and ill-equipped.

I was referring to everyone—both the rookies and the veterans. Specifically, I mean the sheer courage required to actually think for yourself and apply your hard-earned skills when they contradict some textbook from 1980 or those rigid, outdated protocols that vary from one hospital wing to another just because "that’s what the Department Head wants." Of course, the younger generation doesn't have anyone to look up to when the seniors are too terrified of retaliation to step out of line. There is zero enthusiasm left. The system crushes it out of the young ones, and the old guard lost theirs decades ago. They show up, run through the motions according to protocol, and then sit there while the Chief condescends to them during a consultation because they dared to prescribe a dose of Avastin that exceeds some budget limit set by the hospital board... that’s the reality I’m talking about. There is no assertiveness, no passion, and absolutely no sense of teamwork or professional solidarity. And don't even get me started on how senior doctors often withhold knowledge from younger colleagues, acting like they're protecting their territory so the next generation doesn't surpass them. It is absolutely pathetic how much ego drives these people.

I’ll just lay out some examples from my own life and let you guys be the judge:

1. I once had a doctor who struck me—and this is my honest take—as a total clown. He always had this smug, unprofessional attitude. Then, things went south fast, and I nearly ended up in a casket. Ever since then, I look at expertise first and everything else second. Though, for the record, I absolutely hate being treated like just another number on a chart or something moving along an assembly line. That kind of arrogance gives me the creeps.

2. Using some heavy-duty connections, I managed to get in with a specialist who was supposedly the best in her field. The aftermath? A dentist—who wasn't even involved in the initial issue—ended up saving me from a massive disaster because he caught a mistake with my medications.

3. When I first moved to Chicago without knowing a soul, I went to one specific doctor. He was decent, actually listened, and started pulling me out of the mess I was in. Today, I owe him my life. Despite how much he knows, he isn't arrogant or anything. I tip my hat to him. Plus, while working alongside other specialists here in the States, we uncovered several more issues that needed treating—things I didn't even know existed. All I can say is a massive THANK YOU. Beyond his skill, most importantly, he was a human being and treated me like one.

Honestly, I envy anyone who doesn't have to deal with them. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, the hospital I've been forced to visit lately has become a complete circus—it's impossible to tell who’s actually running the show. You've got custodial staff acting like they own the place, while the nurses carry themselves with more authority than the chief of medicine. Getting a word in with an actual doctor? Forget about it. Even trying to get a simple update from a nurse—like whether a patient has actually eaten—is like pulling teeth. Day after day, I'm hearing more and more people vent the exact same frustrations I am.

Mark Hall10 said:Honestly, lucky you if you don't have to deal with them! I mean, sure, there are exceptions, but at the hospital I’ve been forced to visit lately, it is absolute chaos—nobody knows who's in charge or who's paying the bills! You've got cleaning staff acting like they own the place and surgeons, while the nurses act like they're the chief of medicine. Trying to actually see a doctor is basically impossible, and the nurses won't even give you a straight answer on whether a patient has eaten or not! Day after day, I hear more and more people expressing the exact same frustrations I am.

Oh, absolutely, that is the cold, hard truth. But honestly, it really depends on the specific department. If you get a solid Chief of Medicine, the whole unit runs like a Rolex. For instance, over at Mayo Clinic under the Knight, there is this intense rush right before rounds where everything gets scrubbed, polished, and organized perfectly. There is a strict hierarchy and protocol in place, and nobody deviates from it.

Angela Wright said:Oh, absolutely—that’s the gospel truth right there. Though, honestly, it really just boils down to which department you're stuck in. If you have a decent manager, the whole unit runs like a Swiss watch. Take my experience over at Jack working under the Knight—it's pure chaos whenever a site visit is looming. Everything gets scrubbed, files are shuffled, things are hidden away... it's a frantic scramble to look perfect. There's a very rigid system in place to ensure nobody deviates from the script.

And that's exactly how it should be. Kudos to anyone actually capable of enforcing that kind of "regime."

I’m not going to get bogged down in technical expertise here. To my mind, a truly great doctor is simply someone who successfully treats and follows up with their patients without any ego or those unspoken, shady little expectations.

Most of that has already been covered in the posts above.

Right now, I’m really chewing on this one question: how does a physician manage to stay "normal, competent, and uncorrupted" in today's society, especially given everything we discuss on this forum?

swiftbear86 said:I’m not really here to debate technical expertise—to me, a truly great doctor is simply someone who successfully treats their patient and actually stays on top of their care... all without that unnecessary arrogance or those constant, unspoken demands for "extra" something...

Honestly, there isn't much left to add—most of it has already been covered in the posts above...

I’ve been chewing on this one lately—how does a doctor actually manage to stay "normal," professional, and completely uncorrupted within our society? It’s especially relevant given everything we discuss here on the forum...

I’ve been thinking about that whole situation regarding the recent changes to the healthcare system—you know, how everything seems to be shifting under our feet lately. It feels like every time we turn around, there’s a new regulation or a tweak to Medicare that leaves everyone feeling a bit unsettled... I was chatting with Maria Fisher46 the other day about it, and she had some really interesting points regarding how much this affects the average family. It’s one of those things where you don't realize the impact until you're actually looking at the paperwork—it can get pretty overwhelming if you aren't prepared. Then there’s the discussion about the tax implications—wiredcanyon2 mentioned something earlier about how these shifts might ripple through our local economies. It makes sense, honestly. When big institutions like Deloitte start adjusting their outlook, it tends to set a tone for the rest of the private sector too. It’s just a lot to process all at once. I wonder if anyone else is feeling that same sense of "wait and see" approach... or if it's just me being overly cautious. It feels like we're all just waiting for the dust to settle before we can truly understand what this means for our long-term planning.

Less than two months ago, I went to see a specialist—he’s basically the head of his department...
First, he completely misdiagnosed me—even with the ultrasound images right in front of him, he insisted that this specific thing I can actually feel and have documented photos of just wasn't there... then, after a pretty uncomfortable exam, a representative from some pharmaceutical company walked into the room, and I was basically torpedoed within two minutes. It only took him as long as it took to scribble down two sentences—not that he’s exactly a pro at typing on a keyboard, anyway...
Over the last few years, I’ve seen my fair share of doctors—so many, actually—and I have to admit, even if I hate saying it out loud, there have been moments where I was right on the edge of tears. It’s just hard because we’re so dependent on them, and it feels like some of them take that power and use it to vent their own frustrations on us...
Of course, I have to mention that every once in a while, you actually run into a doctor who really listens—someone who genuinely tries to help you out...
For instance, about two and a half months ago, I went in for an ultrasound of my breast and both armpits—just to be safe. Before the actual exam started, I sat there for about ten minutes just talking things through with the technician... explaining exactly why I was requesting the scans and describing the specific health symptoms I’ve been dealing with lately...

Thank God I have such an amazing primary care doctor—someone who actually takes the time to sit down, listen, and really talk things through with me...

I’ve never actually gotten answers for those two "illnesses"—they never really found a cause because the healthcare system here is just set up to run you in circles, knowing full well it won't achieve anything... If you get an EEG done, for example, they might run four or five other tests only to send you right back for another EEG. On one hand, I suppose it's good practice to check if anything has changed, but to me, it feels like a classic case of "I don't want to deal with this, but at least I can clear my conscience if something happens to the patient." It's like they're saying, "Look, I tried everything to find the cause," just so nobody can point a finger at them later. That isn't the only reason I think it's just a way to dodge responsibility, but it's certainly one part of the problem...

Doctors see a massive influx of patients through their doors, so it’s impossible for them to keep every single detail straight—but honestly, I feel that struggle too. In my line of work, I manage over 2,000 clients, and if you look at the numbers, each one has roughly 3,000 plus individual tasks completed with us... though that's just an estimate, of course. Even though it isn't technically my job to memorize every tiny transaction, once I see a specific client or a particular project come across my desk, I can usually connect all those different dots and pieces of information quite easily...
So, I had this encounter with a doctor recently—one who had all my medical records right in front of him regarding my condition—but he didn't even bother actually reviewing them properly. Even though he’d already skimmed through them two or three times, he just went straight to autopilot... which ended up being a huge mistake. He immediately started insisting that I go out and get two specific tests done, even though I’d already completed them. Honestly, after that, I just kind of gave up on his advice. Luckily, by pure chance, I managed to find some relief through medication recommended by my primary care physician... turns out, that was the real fix.

I’m heading out to get a second opinion regarding that doctor I mentioned earlier—you know, the one from my first post. Honestly, why? Because I have the scans right here in black and white showing that these enlarged nodes have been an issue for four months now... yet he’s trying to tell me it’s just connective tissue. I can't quite wrap my head around that. I haven't touched a gym in about six months, either. I'm honestly just terrified of ending up back in a hospital bed, which isn't exactly helpful since I really can't afford to miss any more time at work...

I was honestly so incredibly frustrated after that last checkup—I almost just threw in the towel entirely... It took me a full month to finally find the strength to get back out there and keep pushing forward. Most of the doctors don't seem to care one bit, but I’m really hoping they can actually figure out what's going on soon... just so I can finally have some peace of mind...

I also wanted to mention that the same doctor—the one I mentioned earlier—was just as difficult. After I brought him all my paperwork from three months ago (I’d actually ended up in the hospital because of some swollen lymph nodes), he started scribbling all over my results, underlining random bits... then had the nerve to condescendingly ask me what was going on with my blood sugar. I honestly had no idea—my finger-prick test levels were through the roof. I told him straight up that I didn't know since nobody had mentioned anything to me yet, but he just kept moving through the appointment without saying another word. It was such an unpleasant interaction, if you can even call it a conversation...

The answer to that?

It's whoever prescribes the meds based on their own damn judgment instead of just following whatever the pharmacist tells them to write down to secure a kickback...

dustymarlin10 said:The answer to your question?

It’s the guy who prescribes based on his own gut feeling rather than following some kickback scheme or a pharmaceutical rep's script...

Then please, walk me through your logic. How can you possibly be so sure? What if a doctor uses their own judgment and looks at actual clinical studies, deciding one company just makes better medicine than others? They might prefer certain brands because the quality is objectively higher, not because they're being bribed or following a manual.

Honestly, my primary care doctor is such a gem because she’s an incredible diagnostician who actually takes the time to look you in the eye and truly cares about how you're doing. Back in the day, I dealt with a stroke and a brain tumor, and I'm only still here because she caught the symptoms immediately—unlike some of those rushed doctors you see in the ER. Lately, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety along with all these weird physical symptoms, and whenever I go to see her, she can tell I'm struggling mentally, yet she still insists on sending me to a neurologist and a physical therapist for my neck, plus running blood work just to rule out anything scary. A lot of doctors would have just brushed me off and said, "Oh, it's just depression, go home," but luckily it actually was depression, though I feel much more at peace now.
And man, I really have to give a huge shoutout to Professor Knight. He performed my surgery, and his department is run with such incredible order and discipline! He's one of those rare people who genuinely dedicates himself to every single patient without cutting corners; he's honestly the gold standard for what a great doctor and department head should be.

If I could hand-pick my doctor, I’d combine Felix+John Doe+Deloitte into one single person.
Felix brings that balanced, steady approach, John Doe just lays out the raw facts without any sugarcoating, and Deloitte hits you with that cold, hard truth most of us aren't even ready to hear.

To me, a great doctor needs to be empathetic enough to care, expert enough to know their stuff, and tough enough to ignore the pressure from patients or the bureaucracy at Medicare.

swiftbear86 said:If I could hand-pick my doctor, I’d want a combination of Felix+Jack+Deloitte all rolled into one person.
Felix brings that measured, calm approach, Jack just lays out the raw facts without any sugarcoating, and Deloitte delivers those cold, hard truths that most of us aren't actually ready to face.

A real doctor needs to strike that balance: enough empathy to care, enough expertise to know their stuff, and enough backbone to ignore the pressure from patients or the bureaucracy within Medicare.

I don't know about Deloitte being like that; I’ve certainly never run into a post quite like it. 😁
What you have to respect is the sheer enthusiasm they show even after a full workday—sharing their knowledge and helping people out through these online forums. You don't see examples like that very often.

Angela Wright said:I haven't really had that experience with Deloitte myself. I don't recall ever coming across a post like that. 😁
You really have to hand it to these people. Even after they've finished a full day of work, they still show up here with so much energy, ready to share what they know and lend a helping hand in this digital space. Honestly, you don't run into examples like this very often.

I’ve finally figured it out—Deloitte is actually a guy. He’s definitely using a woman's username to blend in.😁
Honestly, they all deserve a massive round of applause—and yeah, I’m including you in that. It’s always been something I truly admire: seeing people step up and give away their time and expertise just to help others out, without asking for a single cent in return. That kind of selflessness is rare. It’s actually what inspired me to jump in and share my thoughts here today.

People have been praising Deloitte lately, and honestly, I get it. Their whole vibe is basically, "Look, I’m not here to win a popularity contest or hold your hand through this—I’m just telling you how it is." They’ve got this sharp, no-nonsense way of speaking that cuts right through the noise. It’s blunt, sure, but it's honest.😛
I actually followed his take on this about a year ago during that whole discussion regarding healthcare and how doctors interact with their patients.
Sometimes, you just need a doctor to be a little bit cold toward you. It’s like having a coach who doesn't sugarcoat things—it gives you that little jolt you need to actually snap out of it and take things seriously.😉

In my book, a great doctor is someone who actually gives a damn about the patient and doesn't act like they're some kind of untouchable deity. We're all just people, right? Nobody wakes up and chooses to be sick. They also need to be open-minded—always willing to learn and stay on top of new research rather than sticking to old habits.

But honestly, the biggest thing is being able to have a real conversation with them. You should feel comfortable enough to talk normally and share even your most private, embarrassing issues without feeling judged or ashamed.

swiftbear86 said:I’ve finally realized that Deloitte is actually a guy (or at least supposedly using his wife's handle).😁
Of course, you all deserve nothing but praise—and yeah, I’m including you in that—because it’s always been impressive to me how some people will just give up their time and expertise for the common good without asking for a single dime. That’s exactly why I felt compelled to jump in here myself.

Deloitte gets praised for being blunt—it’s not about trying to be liked or offering empty comfort; it’s just about stating the facts. He’s got a sharp tongue.😛
I was following his posts over a year ago in that thread about healthcare and doctor-patient dynamics.
The truth is, some patients actually need a bit of clinical detachment from their doctors; if things get too soft, they tend to push back against the boundaries.😉

So, I guess we're talking about that female persona then?😁

Just got back from the hospital and I’m feeling pretty fired up—need to get this off my chest. What actually makes a good doctor? It’s not just about the degree. When you're dealing with serious stuff—blood in your urine, a lump in your breast, things that actually matter—you shouldn't leave an appointment feeling like you wasted your time. In my experience, most primary care physicians act more like glorified assistants to specialists. My current GP hardly listens; she barely even glances at my test results. She just checks what the specialist prescribed, writes the script, and says goodbye. I used to see a doctor who actually cared—a real professional. He’d prescribe medications that carried serious risks—stuff that could wreck your kidneys or cause internal bleeding—so he monitored everything constantly. "Let's get a kidney scan tomorrow," or "Be in this room at this specific time"—he handled the scheduling, the follow-ups, all of it. He watched for side effects like his life depended on it. When I left his office, I felt informed—I had a clear roadmap for my health. Today, walking out of a different doctor's office, I felt more confused than when I walked in. I laid out all my symptoms, she asked a few perfunctous questions, handed me a printout, and dismissed me. Then I look down at the paperwork and see she recommended an ultrasound—something she didn't even mention during our talk. No follow-up plan, nothing. And there's this recurring vibe I get from so many doctors lately—the moment you walk in, it feels like you're stepping onto a battlefield. Like you're being interrogated or forced to defend your own symptoms. That first doctor gave me his direct line and told me, "Call me if something doesn't feel right; don't take your health lightly." This second one? It was more like, "Ugh, another one on the assembly line." It reminds me of a story about a physician—someone who started in dermatology because they loved helping people with skin issues, full of youthful enthusiasm. But then they hit the reality of the system, became bitter, and started treating patients like chores. Every time I hear about some "public health initiative" or mass screening campaign, I can't help but wonder if my doctor is thinking about the patients or just counting how many referrals they've sent out this month to meet a quota. To sum it up: a good doctor doesn't treat patients like they're on a conveyor belt. They track the progression of illness because fighting for a patient's health should be the whole point.

Angela Wright said:Then please, enlighten me—how exactly can you be so sure? What if a doctor just follows their own conscience and looks at the actual research, deciding one company makes better meds than another, rather than just doing it because they were told to or got a kickback?

Did I ever actually say I knew?

dustymarlin10 said:Did I say I could know?

No. That’s exactly why I asked you, given the broad strokes of your conclusion—and obviously keeping in mind both when you posted this and everything else going down right now. It was also a bit of a rhetorical question, honestly, because it felt like they were gearing up to throw all doctors under the bus at once.