title: Being better clinicians: an acronym to excellence.
abstract: Out of an exhaustive review of the literature on the essential attributes of exemplary clinicians, five main characteristics were derived. Summarized by a useful acronym-SOAPS, these attributes include maintaining a Systematic method; employing Observation and listening; Accessing databases; emphasizing a Personal empathic attitude and Sharing information and decisions with the patient and family. Universally lauded as these concepts are, the evidence demonstrates that they are often neglected, with a negative impact on the quality of care and patient outcomes. The article focuses on using the SOAPS acronym as a mental checklist in teaching sessions and patient encounters to improve adherence to these key concepts.
authors: Department of Medicine, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel. amiMD@clalit.org.il
authors: Ami
authors: A
authors: Schattner
mesh_terms: D000004:Abbreviations as Topic; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000592:standards; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations