“First, do no harm”
Though these exact words are not in the Hippocratic oath, it is what medical students will hear on their first day of medical school and will probably be reminded for the rest of their lives.
Being a doctor in this day and age is not easy. Modern medicine has progressed leaps and bounds, offering treatment that was unthinkable in yesteryears. But with all the advancement, the health profession is under scrutiny like never before.
However, the core of being a doctor remains. To serve, to treat and to make lives better. Every doctor will have his or her own story and their own unique experience. I cannot tell students how to become a doctor, which is something they will have to learn by themselves. But I can certainly share my thoughts with them.
The studying years
Your time in medical school is your formative years. Think of entering medical school as the first step in a long journey, but no less rewarding. The goal is not just to graduate as doctors but also to learn and build on your knowledge. Make no mistake, you will need to put in the hours and studying hard cannot be avoided. But that does not mean you cannot enjoy the student life. Being a student is one of the best times of your life, enjoy it and make use of those years.
A hell called housemanship
Almost all doctors will tell you their housemanship years are the worst of their careers. ‘Worst’ here is subjective. Though it will be a harsh reality from your student days, and you will be pushed to the limit, but please do not think this as a method to torture young doctors. What you do in these 2 years will define your career as a doctor. So take the chance to learn not only to be a safe doctor, but also how to balance your work and life. It is not ‘hell’ if you make the best of it.
It is not a race
A career in medicine is not a race. There is no ‘finish line’. Medicine is constantly evolving so it is only logical that doctors too need to evolve and adapt. It is a lifelong journey of learning, from textbooks, journals, and most importantly, from your patients. Do not focus on achieving career milestones too much and lose the true aim of a being a doctor. Keep your options open and do not rush into things. Take your time to be a doctor.
Stay true to your profession
You will come across many challenges in your medical life; some will be inspiring, some frustrating and some downright demoralising. But always stay true to your profession. Always remember that you are whom the society looks upon to take care of them. If your conscience is clear and your intentions noble, you will not stray far. The medical profession is unique in the sense that it gives you a job satisfaction like no other. The money and accolades will come at some point but it is the simple things, a thank you, a smile or a hug that will truly make you think you’ve made a difference. And you will.
To err is human
Though doctors often strive for perfection, there is no such thing as a perfect doctor. In your medical career, you will make mistakes. Everybody does. You cannot save all your patients, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your very best. Because after all doctors are human and to err is human. Learn from the mistakes, learn to empathise with your patients and learn to be humble as a doctor.
Doctors of tomorrow
You are the next generation of healers of the world. With the wealth of information, ease of connectivity and rate of technological advancement, you are now at an amazing time to be a doctor. All this with the conventional medical knowledge taught to you will give you an advantage no previous generation of doctors had.
Therefore, to the doctors of tomorrow, I bid you all the best in your journey to learn, to serve and to experience. I leave you now with the Hippocratic oath, an oath that you will recite soon and promise to uphold in your life.
I swear to fulfil, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.
I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.
-The modern Hippocratic Oath, written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University, and used in many medical schools today.
Dr. Khoo Yoong Khean is the Managing Editor of the Malaysian Medical Gazette as well as the advisor for the Young Columnists Program. Learn more about him at The Team page.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Medical Gazette.
THIS IS AWESOME!!! thanks soo much Dr. Yoong for the words of encouragement. Thanks for being there for us. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Thanks for just being you… we appreciate the guidance you have given us, are giving us and will give us. we love you Dr. Yoong 😉