What is a Good Doctor?

Abstract

Health systems, medical societies, medical school faculty and academic leaders have all attempted to define the characteristics of a good physician. What has been absent in these endeavors is the patient's voice. This article explores patients' definitions of the term "good physician" found in the literature and in a recent informal qualitative study of retired university staff and faculty. Common themes include communication, expertise, compassion and respect for patient autonomy. This work will be used to inform changes to the curriculum for first-year medical students at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.