What qualities do parents bring to the practice of medicine?

**cakelover** · 20-11-2003, 12:54 AM

What qualities do parents bring to the practice of medicine?

This was the very first question I asked when I founded MomMD, I'll ask it here too! In my instance, empathy, time-management, prioritisation and a full appreciation of responsibility. This is off the top of my head so excuse this!
Seth

**Betty Boop** · 20-11-2003, 01:01 AM

Agree with you on those Sethina. Also how about long hours, lack of sleep, incredible patience and the will to keep going. Little ones can really test your endurance, and I think most parents learn to deal with that. I also think communication and being able to interpret signs in not-so-comunicative little ones is important.

Oh.....and what about putting up with being vomitted on, spat at, and the rest...... I would say that that is excellent A+E experience.

**Tangliss** · 20-11-2003, 12:41 PM

I would agree with all of the above. It gives you care experience also. Running around, feeding, changing nappies, having to wake up on demand, can be hard going at times. Putting the needs of someone else before yourself. That's a good quality to have.

Time management has been essential! If I did not work around my son, I would not of obtained the excellent grades from my recent course.

I think communication and being able to interpret signs, like Betty Boop says is very important. My Son has decided that he is not going to speak at the moment, so has a different grunt to indicate what he wants, which I understand. Although I try and ignore it to get him to start talking, but he just throws a tantrum! :evil:

**bufforpington** · 20-11-2003, 03:28 PM

negotiation skills.....

**Tangliss** · 20-11-2003, 03:30 PM

That's a good one! Not got to that stage yet with Cart's.

**Tangliss** · 20-11-2003, 03:38 PM

Totally agree with you there, Fluffy!

**bufforpington** · 20-11-2003, 04:23 PM

and to always know where things are when everyone else has lost something! Usually school books, rugby shirts, train pass, important forms/letters for school AND husband is no better!!... car keys, briefcase, mobile......