The 7 Habits of Great Family Doctors: Insights from a Global Survey

What if you could access the single best piece of advice from hundreds of experienced colleagues from around the world? We wanted to find out. We asked 468 Family Doctors across 48 countries for their most helpful wisdom and distilled their answers. The results are these key habits of great Family Doctors based on a survey shared via the Golden Nuggets, WONCA World and WONCA Europe newsletters.

The Global Family Medicine Community Survey Data

In the Global Survey, 468 GPs shared 531 pieces of advice. Many of them were shared repeatedly. The following table summarizes the most common recommendations collected and analyzed:

1. First, Listen (1-2 min)

Shared by 127 GPs, no other piece of advice was recommended that often – by far! It seems the collective wisdom is pretty sure, that improving communication skills should be our #1 priority. Early uninterrupted talk improves rapport and often reveals the diagnosis. As a famous quote says: “Listen to the patient; he is telling you the diagnosis.”

What did GPs recommend, precisely?

• Listen uninterruptedly: GPs recommended for 60, 90 or 120 seconds. Give your patients your undivided attention.
• Ask good questions: Use open-ended, ICE (ideas, concerns, expectations) or FIFE (feelings, ideas, fears, expectations).
• Be curious and open-minded: Don’t jump to conclusions too early.
• Trust your eyes, ears, and hands: Good anamnesis gives you the diagnosis in 80%.

2. Cultivate Your Network

Shared by 54 GPs, it essentially says that great Family Doctors are team players, not lonely wolves. A strong network reduces insecurity, prevents tunnel vision, and simply brings joy. To build this habit:

• Build a strong personal network of fellow GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals.
• If in doubt, ask them for advice; make it a habit.
• Find a mentor, especially if you are young.
• Nurture these relationships: meet, call and write them regularly or create a WhatsApp group.
• Discuss your mistakes with colleagues, because everyone makes mistakes.

3. Embrace the Examination

Shared by 34 GPs, many respondents simply wrote “examine, examine, examine”. The hands-on assessment remains a cornerstone of family medicine. This is because touch is diagnostically valuable, therapeutically healing, and builds trust.

• Always examine, even if you think there is nothing.
• Don’t be afraid to touch.
• Perform focused examination to exclude severe disease.

4. Relationship = Superpower

Shared by 30 GPs, the big advantage of Family Medicine over other specialties is the deep, long-term doctor-patient relationship and the trust it enables. Trust improves communication, facilitates diagnosis, and increases adherence; it’s the invisible medicine of general practice.

• Invest the time and effort to know and understand your patient deeply.
• Your Superpower is your relationship and trust.
• Learn about the placebo and nocebo and watch your words.
• Never leave them: assure your patients that you are still their doctor, even if they don’t follow your recommendations.

5. Learn Continuously

Shared by 30 GPs, this habit emphasizes that being a good doctor is a journey without a finish line. Medicine evolves constantly, and only when we stay curious and open will we evolve with it. To maintain this growth:

• Remain curious and open-minded to change and learn something new.
• Read good books, such as Ian McWhinney’s Textbook of Family Medicine and Bernard Lown’s The Lost Art of Healing.
• Use CME funds to attend a health tech or industry conference, cover educational subscriptions, or get a certification.

Most physicians receive a CME allowance from their employer to help doctors complete necessary continuing education requirements in order to maintain their medical license. Grouping a CME conference with a vacation to a desirable destination is a great way to relax and unwind outside of work while knocking out some of your required credits.