A physician struggles with customer service. Can she still be a good doctor?

I struggle with customer service. I truly never anticipated that it would be such a big part of my career. I never fathomed that it would be something that I struggle with on a daily basis. Well, honestly it does not happen every day and does not occur at every facility that I work at. Yet, it happens often enough that it has affected where I work, how I interact with clients and I often now it affects my ability to engage in meaningful patient encounters. I am, often thrown off guard by what people comment about me. There is usually a statement that they will highlight, something I have said that tips them over the edge. Perhaps it is a difference in practice or application, but it is one thing I may have said during the encounter that sets them off, enough to write a complaint about my performance. Not one of my colleagues would ever guess that I have this problem. Most of my peers see me as an extremely personable person; l am seen as friendly and funny, just perhaps just somewhat reserved. I have been told I have a RBF (resting bitch face) for which I just cannot truly change, or do not know how to change. People tell me to smile more, to smile with my eyes and body, to mirror the people I am speaking with, to compliment them or the patient more. I head the advice regarding sitting in the room with them, shaking their hands, perhaps even patting them on the back when I leave. I have read the books, taken the classes, and heard the speeches. To me, all of this seems fake, ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Emergency Medicine Pediatrics Source Type: blogs