Five Critical Job Skills for Healthcare from Dr. House

One of my favorite TV shows is “House, M.D.” on the Fox network.  Dr. House is an irreverent, maverick doctor with his own physical and mental demons, who uses his extraordinary diagnostic powers to solve medical mysteries with his crack hospital team.  While this is no way close to a reality show, there are some interesting lessons to be learned about what it takes to work in a high-stress environment with high-powered people.  Working in healthcare takes administrative skills, special training, and the mental toughness to survive.

1.       Attention to Detail.  Take any job in almost any other profession and multiply it by, oh say 1,000!  A wrong entry on a patient chart doesn’t have the same consequences as a mislabeled package in a warehouse.  In “House, M.D.,” the team members are always checking and rechecking medications, instructions and pouring over documentation to stay on track.  One wrong dosage could mean life or death for a patient.

2.      Multi-tasking.   In an office or manufacturing setting, you may have one task to perform at a time.  While the TV story line focuses on one patient, Dr. House and the team are bouncing around between any numbers of patients, one more critical than the other. Between patient care, lab work, tests and documenting patient care, there is no time for texting, tweeting or even lunch. 

3.      Compassion and empathy.  From the patients who are undergoing treatment to the families dealing with a sick loved one, healthcare workers have to be able to administer treatment and show compassion and empathy for all concerned.  Families come in all possible combinations with their own issues besides dealing with an illness.  As in “House, M.D.,” sometimes the treatments are more difficult than the illness itself.  You need the ability to care for both the patient and the families.

4.      Changing course.  You have to be able to deal with uncertainty and fast changes to be a part of the healthcare team.  Dr. House is a master diagnostician, but it takes several tries to get it right.  Patients who are fine one moment can be at death’s door the next.  While the course of action may change, you need to keep a steady, clear mind.

5.      Following orders.  “Do it,” is one of Dr. House’s favorite sayings.  The team doesn’t always agree.  They interact with patients at different times and circumstances and have their own opinions about treatment.  Unless you’re the physician, the ability to take and carry out specific orders is critical in any type of healthcare position.  Whether you’re in a hospital, doctor’s office or clinic, your job is to follow doctor’s orders just like the patient. 

Like real life, not all the patients on “House, M.D.” make it in the end.  The healthcare field is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.  If you’re thinking of a career in healthcare, watch a few episodes of “House M.D.” to see what it’s like on one extreme.  If you can see yourself as part of the team, you may have found your niche.