What new skills are you developing?

In this world of constant change we are always learning something new.

If you don’t take a pause from time to time and take stock of where you are at with your skills, you may find that your skills have become outdated.

Have you taken an inventory of the skills you have developed over time?

What skills have you mastered?

Are your skills still relevant?

What skills have you developed that you need to practice?

What skills do you need to develop?

I’ve worked in the healthcare industry for years.

There are some skills that can’t be replaced such as the bedside manner of a nurse or doctor.

We’ve all have had experiences that were good or bad.

Think for a moment about the last time you were in a Doctor’s office or in a hospital.

Did the doctor answer your questions or concerns?  
Did you feel you or they were rushed? 
Were they present? 
Were you listened to or felt heard by them?
Did you feel that they cared about you?

The questions relate to the skills associated with bedside manner. Now, let me ask you did the doctor treat you or help you get better?

In today’s world it’s not uncommon for the nurse to come in, gather your information, take your temperature and blood pressure, ask if you have questions and maybe input them into a computer or tablet of some sort and leave the room. Then after a few minutes hopefully the doctor comes in.

He/She may ask the same questions or preview what was recorded then talk to you or examine you.

They may even type while talking to you which personally drives me crazy as they are not being fully present with you. They may or may not examine you, tell you something and walk away and maybe the nurse comes back and gives you some paper to take home. Was I treated? The answer is yes but the quality of the interaction may have been better and my questions may not of been answered.

20 years ago doctors and nurses weren’t bring computers or tablets into the examination. Doctors and nurses had to learn how to use them now to do their “work” as there are requirements now that didn’t exist then. Is the doctor a bad doctor if he can’t type fast and look at you while speaking? Maybe, maybe not. He/she could be the best diagnostic doctor ever and knows exactly how to help or cure you.

In the computer and technology world things change so rapidly. We had mainframes and people who programmed them, to now most people have a computer in their phone. The skills required have changed. The way we work has changed.

To stay current, what skills are you developing?