How do I know if medicine is the right career for me?  What kind of person makes a good doctor?

By asking this question, you’ve already shown several characteristics that make a good doctor – curiosity, a desire to be the best at what you do, and the motivation to challenge yourself.

Good doctors are good communicators.  They are able to truly listen to their patients, empathize, and provide information about diagnosis and treatment in a way their patients will understand.  Good doctors are altruistic (that is, they are always ready to put their patients’ needs first).  Good doctors also have a strong sense of service, of wanting to help people feel better, making health care work better, and, in many cases, giving back to their communities.  Above all, good doctors are motivated by a strong sense of professionalism –  they have integrity and honor and are committed to upholding medicine’s timeless values.