What Are Clinical Strengths and How Can You Showcase Them?

Although often used interchangeably with clinical skills, clinical strengths are a bit broader. Clinical strengths refer to the joint use of “people skills” and clinical skills to provide the highest quality of care for patients. Leveraging your interpersonal skills alongside your technical expertise can help you build trust with patients and ensure you are providing compassionate care.

Some aspiring doctors are drawn to the technical aspects of the job like diagnosing, treating, or operating on patients. Soft skills — nontechnical skills that help you work effectively with other people — may not immediately come to mind, since you use them every day without realizing it. However, rounding out your technical expertise with soft skills can elevate the quality of care you provide and empower your patients to advocate for themselves and make informed medical decisions.

Clinical Strengths and Soft Skills in Action

Imagine a doctor walking into an examination room with an anxious patient. Rather than attempting to build rapport, the doctor sticks only to the facts. The doctor uses medical jargon to explain the tests they are running, their diagnosis, and next steps. Let’s also say the patient has the courage to speak up and ask for clarification, but the doctor continues to answer questions using technical terms. Even though the information provided is accurate, there is a high chance the patient will have a negative experience with this doctor’s approach.

Why? Because the patient may not understand what the doctor is saying to them. Ineffective communication can lead to a patient feeling isolated, ignored, and increasingly anxious. It erodes trust, making the patient less likely to fully confide in their doctor. In extreme cases, it may even make the patient unlikely to seek medical care in the future.

So, what happens if we add clinical strengths like active listening, clear communication, and empathy to the scenario?

This time, the doctor speaks in a way that is easy for the patient to understand. The doctor explains what they are doing and why, and answers questions as they arise. The doctor makes small talk to put the patient at ease, monitors the patient for any signs of discomfort, and clearly explains the diagnosis and treatment options so the patient knows what is happening with their health and why a treatment is the best course of action.  

Bringing these small touches to each appointment can make all the difference for your patients.  

How to Recognize Your Clinical Strengths

Most healthcare professionals have probably asked themselves, “How can I identify my clinical strengths?”  

Recognizing your clinical strengths requires a mix of self-reflection and input from those you work with on a regular basis. This external perspective on your performance can identify things you may have previously overlooked or devalued. Remember, your clinical strengths allow you to connect with patients. Actively bringing these strengths into each interaction can set you apart from other healthcare professionals.

For your self-assessment, start by keeping a journal that details how you manage high-stress situations, what tasks you can complete with ease, and which tasks give you more trouble. Try to document this information for at least a week to identify trends over time and get a broad picture of your clinical strengths. The more you can document, the better.

Have you noticed that patients feel comfortable opening up to you? That is a great indicator your clinical strengths include empathy and compassion.  

Can you maintain your composure in high-stakes situations and clearly communicate with coworkers, all while keeping the patient’s well-being top of mind? Resilience, collaboration, and leadership could be your clinical strengths.  

Other examples of clinical strengths can include:

• Clear communication
• Active listening
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Prioritization
• Patient education and advocacy
• Cultural sensitivity

If you want a more objective opinion on your clinical strengths, speak with a supervisor or mentor. They may have insight into the unique skills you bring to the role and advice on how you can build upon those strengths throughout your career.  

Showcasing Your Clinical Strengths

Your clinical strengths can be a great way to stand out from the competition when applying for jobs. When reviewing the duties in a job listing, align your strengths to them and offer specifics. If a job lists patient education as part of the duties, you could highlight your clinical strength on the application with something along the lines of, “Translates complex medical information into clear, patient-friendly language, ensuring patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.”

Be concise, yet specific when listing clinical strengths — it can breathe life into your application. You can also highlight clinical strengths in interviews by preparing anecdotes that show these skills in action.

Developing Clinical Strength Through Continued Improvement

Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med) takes a holistic approach to medical education. Through patient interactions within weeks of starting and practical training in our Simulation Institute*, Ross Med weaves interpersonal skill development into our Doctor of Medicine (MD) program from the very first semester.  

The healthcare field is always moving forward as new research, technologies, and best practices are developed. Continuing your education, earning additional certifications, and attending workshops allows you to stay up-to-date on the latest changes and trends. Staying curious about new developments also helps you improve patient care and keep your skills sharp and relevant.

Which workshops and certifications you attend depends on your personal goals. Write those goals down, track your progress, and revisit your progress tracker regularly to ensure you are growing sustainably.

Start Building Clinical Strengths at Ross Med

It is important to remember your clinical strengths will not develop overnight, nor will they be intuitive at first. They are built through practice, a willingness to learn from past experiences, and determination. At Ross Med, you will get the tools and experience to uncover your potential and make a meaningful, lasting impact on clinical care.

Ready to step into a career where your strengths truly matter? Apply to Ross Med today and begin your medical journey.

Ross University School of Medicine’s Simulation Institute is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH, www.ssih.org).