We held our first essay competition for aspiring healthcare students where we did a Medify giveaway. We were impressed by the quality of the entries and have included some examples of the entries below.

The title of the essay competition was: What qualities make a good healthcare professional?

Essay 1 :

In the healthcare realm, the qualities that define a good healthcare professional extend far beyond medical expertise. While knowledge and technical skills are undeniably crucial, it is the softer attributes that truly set apart exceptional healthcare professionals. Among these,empathy, teamwork, and adaptability emerge as the pillars that support the foundation of patient-centred care and holistic well-being.

The key to effectively caring for patients is empathy, which has been commonly defined as a way of understanding and sharing another's feelings. A healthcare professional embodying empathy is connecting to the patient on an even deeper level, recognising his fear, hopes and vulnerabilities. Trust is strengthened and healthcare providers can tailor their responses to individual needs through this ability. Empathy enables healthcare providers not only to diagnose and treat symptoms, but also to offer comfort at a time of distress. The healing process is enhanced greatly when the patient feels that they are being observed and listened to.

Healthcare is a multidisciplinary endeavor, requiring seamless collaboration among various specialists, nurses, technicians and support staff. Teamwork is the symphony that harmonises diverse skills and perspectives to coordinate patient care effectively. A good healthcare professional recognises the strengths of different expertise, valuing the input of each team member. By sharing knowledge, brainstorming solutions and formulating informed decisions, healthcare teams can devise well-rounded treatment plans. Furthermore, effective teamwork reduces the burden on individual professionals and prevents burnout, sustaining high-quality care.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, adaptability is the compass that guides professionals through unpredictable circumstance. Rapid, constant advancements in medical science and technology demand that healthcare practitioners continuously update their knowledge and approaches. An adaptable healthcare professional remains open to change, readily embracing new methodologies and technologies. When faced with unexpected challenges, they pivot swiftly, ensuring that patient care remains uncompromised. The ability to problem solve not only boosts the quality of care but also cultivates a culture of innovation within the healthcare ecosystem.

While each of these qualities—empathy, teamwork, and adaptability—holds immense value individually, their true power emerges when they intertwine. Empathetic healthcare professionals further trust and open lines of communication, facilitating effective teamwork. When diverse minds collaborate, they often generate innovative solutions that necessitate adaptability. Conversely, adaptability enables professionals to accommodate differing viewpoints, heightening the overall effectiveness of teamwork. This symbiotic relationship creates a dynamic and resilient healthcare environment.

In conclusion, the qualities that define a good healthcare professional extend beyond the realm of medical knowledge and technical skills. Empathy, teamwork, and adaptability form an interwoven tapestry that elevates patient care to unparalleled heights. An empathetic healthcare professional creates meaningful relationships with patients, a team player ensures care through collaboration and an adaptable practitioner navigates this ever-evolving health landscape. These characteristics are not merely complementary to one another; they reinforce each other's impact, creating a virtuous cycle of patient-centred care. It is important that these qualities, which have potential for shaping the future of health care in an improved way, be adopted and nurtured by those who aspire to become healthcare professionals.

Essay 2 :

In the field of healthcare, the role of a professional is vital in ensuring the well-being and quality of care provided to patients. A good healthcare professional possesses a combination of technical competence, strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as ethical and professional conduct. These qualities not only contribute to the effectiveness of healthcare delivery but also enhance patient satisfaction and trust. In this essay, we will explore the key qualities that make a good healthcare professional, including technical competence and knowledge, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ethical and professional conduct.

Technical competence and knowledge are fundamental qualities that a good healthcare professional must possess. Proficiency in medical procedures, diagnostics, and treatment options enables healthcare professionals to provide accurate and effective care. For instance, a skilled surgeon who is well-versed in surgical techniques can perform complex procedures with precision, minimising the risk of complications. Furthermore, a good healthcare professional should have a deep understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. This knowledge allows them to accurately interpret medical records, diagnose conditions, and develop appropriate treatment plans. Continuous learning and staying updated with new advancements in the field are also crucial for healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care. By attending conferences, workshops, and engaging in research, professionals can integrate new knowledge and techniques into their practice, ultimately benefiting their patients.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills are equally important for a good healthcare professional. Effective communication with patients, colleagues, and interdisciplinary teams is essential for providing comprehensive care. For instance, a nurse who can communicate effectively with patients can establish rapport, gain their trust, and ensure their cooperation during treatment. Active listening and empathy are also crucial skills that allow healthcare professionals to understand patient needs and concerns. By listening attentively and showing empathy, professionals can create a supportive environment and address any fears or anxieties patients may have. Additionally, the ability to explain medical information in a clear and understandable manner is vital. This enables patients to make informed decisions about their health and treatment options, promoting shared decision-making and patient autonomy.

Ethical and professional conduct is a cornerstone of good healthcare practice. Upholding high ethical standards, such as maintaining patient confidentiality, is essential in building trust and ensuring patient privacy. Healthcare professionals must respect patient autonomy and obtain informed consent before initiating any treatment or procedure. By involving patients in their care and respecting their wishes, professionals can foster a collaborative and patient-centered approach. Demonstrating professionalism through reliability, punctuality, and accountability is also crucial. Patients rely on healthcare professionals to be dependable and trustworthy, and professionals must uphold these standards to provide quality care. Moreover, ethical and professional conduct extends beyond patient interactions and includes the ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams, respecting the expertise and contributions of others.

In conclusion, a good healthcare professional possesses a combination of technical competence and knowledge, strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as ethical and professional conduct. These qualities are essential in providing effective and patient centered care. By continuously developing their technical skills, healthcare professionals can stay at the forefront of medical advancements. Effective communication and empathy enable professionals to establish trust and understand patient needs. Upholding high ethical standards and demonstrating professionalism are crucial in building patient trust and ensuring quality care.

Essay 3:

What does it mean to be a patient? To be in a vulnerable state, trusting your lives in the hands of healthcare professionals unknowing of the uncertainties that lie within their treatment. A good healthcare professional needs to encompass the 4 medical pillars: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice in their medical practice.

One of the most important qualities of a healthcare professional is professionalism. Professionalism encompasses a variety of aspects such as patient confidentiality thoroughly to following good medical practice, such as doctors following the GMC. The importance of patient confidentiality draws attention to maintaining trust and building a good healthcare professional-patient relationship. When a patient shares information with healthcare professionals, it is expected to be kept private and confidential. This encourages patients to be trusting and speaking with honesty about themselves, essentially resulting in correct diagnosis and treatment plans made.

Furthermore, healthcare professionals need to show a substantial amount of knowledge and keep up to date with new medical knowledge in their field of expertise due to the constant medical advancements. Keeping up to date allows healthcare professionals to offer the most effective treatments and medical care. Ultimately this improves patient outcomes and provides patients with a better quality of care.

In addition, empathy is a key quality all healthcare professionals must have. Empathy involves the understanding and response to the emotions and perspective of patients. A good healthcare professional needs to put themselves in the patient's shoes, demonstrating compassion and understanding towards the patient's situation. When patients feel that healthcare professions are genuine in their medical care, it encourages a more open and easygoing environment. Patients value healthcare professionals who care for and understand them, which makes patients feel better as they feel as they are not alone. Also, empathy improves the communication between a healthcare professional and a patient. Communication goes both ways, taking and asking questions, but also listening to what patients have to say. By understanding and acknowledging the patient's situation, it allows for more emotional support towards patients.

Involving teamwork is the utmost important quality a healthcare professional must implement in their practice. All healthcare professionals must collaborate together to achieve a common goal relating to patient care. It involves healthcare professionals sharing their knowledge and providing expertise among each other. Good teamwork allows all healthcare professionals to contribute to the holistic care of the patient which includes physical and emotional support. This can result in collectively improving patient quality of life.

To conclude, a good healthcare professional must not only possess the title of healthcare professional, but apply key qualities such as professionalism, which involves patient confidentiality and showing good medical practice, keeping updated in their medical knowledge respective of the field they work in, showing empathy and putting themselves in the patient's shoes and teamwork, enabling a collective effort to improve patient quality of life.

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