and the better you do it, the harder
it is to handle”, says George.
Traditionally new doctors and
medical students have always
picked up these “soft” bits while
on the job, by watching good, as
well as bad consultants at work.
But in the 21st century that
method will simply not do.
There is little doubt that the
professor had a genuine passion
for what he did, and he is one
of the best at it too, which
makes what he said all the more
important. Any aspiring medical
professional who wants to be
catapulted to realms of leadership
must take note. Professor
Thomson, a Scotsman originally
from Glasgow, summarised what
he felt were the top 5 soft skills
medical students will have to
develop on their own by investing
in themselves:
Likes of Professor George
Time to take the bureaucrats to the edge
Thomson are pioneers in their
respective fi elds, but they are also
telling us what will be expected
from medical students in the near
future. Those that are suffi
.
ciently
geared up will fl ourish, while a
The political views expressed in this article are
few may be left behind!
not that of Professor George Thomson.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Interpersonal Leadership Skills. Money. It’s Experience.
Skills. Ones ability These are ones ability paramount that It cannot be
to effectively, as to infl uence their medical students substituted by
well as effi ciently local environment. become fi nancially textbooks. The
communicate with Medical students literate and truth is that medical
people from a 360 must spend time in understand the students must look
degree perspective. learning how to lead, economics of to develop a wider
how to bring people delivering healthcare range of experience
on board, how to in the 21st century. while in training.
motivate others, and
build wide consensus
within teams.
HPD Sept ‘09 - Feb ‘10 www.YourHPD.com
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