Identify Some of the Attributes Needed by Professionals Working in the Health Industry

Health Industry

Understanding the correct path is extremely important in any occupation, however those of us who wish to serve others within the health industry require a certain self-reflection with a complete understanding of what it takes as necessary to become successful with in this specific area. Health professionals are expected to adhere to high standards of behavior and demonstrate these principles as they care for others in their time of need. The health industry is large in size and scope, requiring many individual, throughout the entire system to effectively demonstrate these traits to ensure its success. Those working in the health insurance industry, nurses of all sorts, hospital staffs, medical and non-medical doctors all contribute to this demanding, yet rewarding profession. The purpose of this paper is to examine my own specific behavioral traits, talents and attributes and align them with those ideals I think are necessary and present within the health industry.

It is my humble opinion that there are three main characteristics that are necessary for success in the health industry. The ability to listen, the ability to communicate, and the ability to think critically far the three main skills I feel encompasses the totality of work anyone in the health profession may encounter. In a summary of medical ethics, The Lahey clinic, a teaching hospital at Tufts university provided a useful mission statement I would like to build upon: as they "seek to improve the philosophic understanding of the problematic issues of modern medicine and biology." I'll examine each one of these important skills and demonstrate how I believe my behavior and personal attitudes relate to these attributes and how they align with those skills that seem present today in this field.

People often come to health professionals when they have problems they cannot solve on their own. Anywhere throughout the entire system of the health industry where this patient chooses to come in contact with, requires someone there who knows how to diagnose problems. Listening to the patient or the customer is extremely important, and so future decisions can be made effectively and efficiently and directed in the right path. How does one improve their listening skills? In my experiences, demonstrating a calm and pleasant outlook towards life while peacefully noticing the things that are sometimes overlooked contribute to a more receptive stance helpful in developing these skills.

Understanding the emotional complexities of situations that occur in health related problems, also contributes greatly to improving and developing listening skills that will serve to create a more empathetic and productive environment. Medical jargon and confusing terminology sometimes seems like its own language and to interpret this information and deliver useful results requires good listening skills and the ability to translate what the patient may be saying into a coherent medical document or chart. Receptive behavior and the ability to open your mind to others' interpretation of how they may be feeling are all indications of when a health professional is demonstrating appropriate listening skills and contributing to his overall potential.

The next skill or ability that I feel is important when working with people in the health industry builds upon good listening skills. Bilikopf (2006) stated that "the role of the listener is to help empty the large reservoirs of emotion, anger, stress and frustration and other negative feelings until the individual can see more clearly." When communication skills are effectively used, growth and potential are the ultimate results of such practices. Tone of language, type of language, self-awareness of emotional attitudes, and several other variables contribute to how one must communicate to another. I feel that choosing the correct words is imperative in becoming successful with in this arena. The ability to heal and fix problems rests squarely on the ability to communicate the solutions necessary to undertake any such attempts. Honesty and truthfulness serve the good communicator because hiding the truth never benefits anyone at any time. Effective communication may include choosing softer words and developing a tactful approach in delivering difficult information that will most likely result in emotional escalation if not properly addressed.

Verbal and nonverbal forms of communication are important. Health professionals are often stereotyped as having poor penmanship, diminishing their ability to communicate and effectively treat problems. E-mails, voicemails, texts and various other types of new communications systems need to be mastered or at least investigated to help best serve and understand the environment in which the patient lives and communicates. Once again the ability to have patience becomes important in the ability to communicate effectively. To me, communicating within the health profession itself, amongst other health professionals is often a challenge. Different types of medicines and different types of doctors all need to be able to speak the same language in treating many complex problems seen in today's medical world.

The ability to think and contemplate complex and difficult situations is extremely important in the health industry. Thousands and thousands of people depend upon the attention to details, well thought out answers, effective research and disciplined theories to help improve the quality of their life and in some cases to save their life. The ability to think positively affects the other abilities to communicate and to listen as well, making this more important than the other two abilities. Knowledge and information are readily available in ways that help to eliminate unnecessary delays and loss of life. The University of Indiana Health Professions Center suggests as well that they "encourage you to practice making a conscious effort to develop and maintain constructive, determined attitudes about classes, activities responsibilities situations circumstances, and people." It takes someone who is trained to sort through many distorted information sources and other distractions in order to effectively treat patients.