Communication & Professionalism

Overview

Clinical knowledge matters.
But in the NHS, your reputation is built far more on:

  • How you communicate
  • How you behave under pressure
  • How safe and reliable you are
  • How others feel working with you

Doctors with average knowledge but excellent professionalism often progress faster than brilliant doctors with poor communication.

Communication Is a Clinical Skill

Good communication is not “soft” — it directly affects:

  • Patient safety
  • Escalation decisions
  • Team trust
  • Complaints and compliments
  • Career progression

It is one of the most important skills you will develop.

Communicating with Seniors

What seniors value most:

  • Clarity
  • Honesty
  • Structure
  • Insight
  • Ownership

Good examples:

  • “I’m not fully sure, but I’m concerned because…”
  • “I’d like senior input before proceeding.”
  • “This is my plan, but I want to check it’s safe.”

Bad impression:

  • Guessing
  • Hiding uncertainty
  • Delaying escalation
  • Defensiveness when corrected

Safe doctors earn trust quickly.

Communicating with Nurses

Nurses often notice deterioration before anyone else.

Strong working relationships involve:

  • Mutual respect
  • Listening to concerns
  • Acknowledging workload
  • Explaining your reasoning
  • Saying thank you

If nurses trust you, they will support you.
If they don’t, your shifts become much harder.

Communicating with Patients

Patients rarely judge you on medical knowledge.
They judge you on:

  • Whether you listened
  • Whether you cared
  • Whether you explained clearly
  • Whether you treated them with dignity

You don’t need perfect English.
You need presence, empathy, and clarity.

Communicating with Families

Relatives can be emotional, anxious, or frustrated.

Safe approaches:

  • Be honest
  • Avoid jargon
  • Acknowledge emotions
  • Don’t promise outcomes
  • Ask seniors for support in difficult conversations

Families usually respond to honesty better than overconfidence.

Handling Conflict Professionally

Conflict happens:

  • Between doctors
  • Between teams
  • With seniors
  • With patients
  • With relatives

Professional responses include:

  • Staying calm
  • Not escalating emotionally
  • Focusing on patient safety
  • Asking for senior support
  • Documenting when needed

Losing your temper damages your reputation quickly.

Professionalism Is Built in Small Moments

Your reputation is shaped by:

  • Turning up on time
  • Responding to bleeps
  • Helping colleagues
  • Owning mistakes
  • Being polite when stressed
  • Being reliable
  • Being honest

Consultants remember these traits far more than exam results.

Common Professional Pitfalls

  • Gossiping about colleagues
  • Speaking badly about the department
  • Arguing publicly with seniors
  • Defensive responses to feedback
  • Avoiding responsibility
  • Poor punctuality

These behaviours follow doctors quietly but persistently.

Reality Check

You will have bad days.
You will have frustrating shifts.
You will occasionally feel unfairly treated.

Professionalism is not about being perfect.
It is about being consistent, respectful, and safe even when tired.

Reassurance

You do not need to be charismatic.
You do not need to be extroverted.
You do not need to be confident all the time.

You need to be:

  • Honest
  • Respectful
  • Safe
  • Reflective
  • Willing to improve

That is enough to build an excellent reputation.