Why Self-Doubt is Sometimes Good for Your Doctor

One could argue that you don’t want your doctor to have self-doubt. You want him or her to know the answer to your problem, confidently treat you, and make you better. But, is the absence of self-doubt in medicine really a good thing?

Self-doubt makes one question one’s decisions and actions. It is a normal part of being human. The extremes of self-doubt, however, can be damaging. Having no self-doubt and extreme self-doubt are problematic but do not speak to the ultimate knowledge or ability of a physician. An extremely knowledgeable and seasoned doctor can have a tremendous amount of self-doubt and a very inexperienced physician without a large fund of knowledge can have no doubt whatsoever.

Making decisions and acting with supreme confidence without ever questioning the accuracy, outcome, or effects of decisions or actions if fraught with blindness to failure and unintended consequences. It makes no room for exploring alternatives or nuances in decisions or actions and may disregard varying contexts in which the decisions or actions are directed.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, extreme self-doubt can cause paralysis of decision-making and action. Being concerned about every unintended consequence or not being confident about knowing enough will cause inappropriate inaction. Inaction is not without risks or consequences either.

As mentioned, self-doubt makes one question one’s decisions and actions. Thoughtful questioning of one’s decisions and actions sets the stage for exploration and learning. It makes one curious. This curiosity will not only spark one’s interest to read and research more, but also to reach out to others for collaboration. The most powerful source of knowledge in medicine is found in the act of collaboration. Collaboration brings physicians together, making the sum of their knowledge, wisdom, and experience much more effective than anyone’s on their own.

So, do you want your doctor to have self-doubt? I would argue that you would want to have your doctor have some self-doubt. Having enough self-doubt to trigger inquiry and collaboration is healthy in medicine. Of course, you want your physician to have confidence in what they decide, what they know, and what they do. But, this confidence is only the result of an ongoing process of self-exploration, learning, and engagement with others in medicine. Without some degree of self-doubt, a doctor will not grow, evolve, or act in the way that is ultimately in the best interests of their patients. Self-doubt is necessary for becoming the best version of a physician that a physician can become.

Do you think a doctor should have some degree of self-doubt?