Modelling the qualities of a medical doctor in the South African healthcare context

Abstract

To address the numerous healthcare challenges facing South Africa, it is imperative that the skill set of medical doctors practising in the public sector evolve. This research identifies the qualities required for a medical doctor to be a good clinician, holistic practitioner, medical manager, and medical leader. Qualities of medical doctors were identified from a comprehensive literature review and used in the development of a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM). The FCM was refined through a pilot study and then presented to an expert sample of public sector medical doctors in a two-round Delphi study. The research propositions were refined as follows: (i) Critical thinking, above-average intelligence, individual motivation, the absence of poor work environment, and the absence of poor stress management are required for a medical doctor to be a good clinician. (ii) Critical thinking, strong interpersonal skills, individual motivation, the absence of poor work environment, and the absence of poor stress management are required for a medical doctor to be a holistic practitioner. (iii) Critical thinking, individual motivation, strong interpersonal skills, the absence of poor work environment, and the absence of poor stress management are required for a medical doctor to be a medical manager. (iv) Critical thinking, individual motivation, strong interpersonal skills, and the absence of poor stress management are required for a medical doctor to be a medical leader. The findings of this study will be of value to individual medical doctors by providing insight and identifying areas for personal improvement; healthcare institutions to develop their staff to become better clinicians, holistic practitioners, medical managers and medical leaders; and Medical schools and colleges to focus their curriculum and teaching on producing multi-talented and multi-skilled medical doctors. Furthermore, continued professional development of practicing doctors along these paradigms can ensure higher quality medical practice, management and leadership in public-sector healthcare.