Christian Theodor Billroth was a famous Austrian surgeon in the 1800s, widely regarded as the father of modern day abdominal surgery. Everybody in the medical field has heard of him (think Billroth gastric procedures). He was a fascinating individual, and in addition to being a leader in the medical field, was also an accomplished musician and critical thinker.

Recently a kind reader of my blog forwarded me a quote attributed to Billroth. As a physician who is interested in healthcare communication, this quote really struck me, and encompasses so many different points. I want to share it with you here, because it’s something every healthcare professional should pause to reflect on. Billroth was clearly someone who cherished his relationship with patients and the sacred trust they placed in him. Here’s something he once said:

“A person may have learned a good deal and still be a very bad doctor who earns no trust from patients. The way to deal with patients, win their confidence, listen to them (patients are more eager to talk than to listen) and help them; console them, get them to understand serious matters: none of this can be read in books. A student can learn it only through intimate contact with his teacher, whom he will unconsciously imitate … The patient longs for the doctor’s visit; his thoughts and feelings circle around that event. The doctor may do whatever is necessary with speed and precision-but he should never give the impression of being in a hurry, or of having other things on his mind …”

What a wonderful reflection from 150 years ago for every doctor, or any healthcare professional interacting with patients, to always remember.

Suneel Dhand is a physician, writer, and YouTuber. He is Co-Founder at DocsDox. His main passions are preventive medicine, wellness and improving communication. Follow him on YouTube and Instagram.