3 Lessons I’ve Learnt During Medical School
The completion of medical school is a process that nearly all registered physicians, both in the United Kingdom and around the globe, must go through. I am not the first to do so, and by no means the last. As I write these words I find myself, along with the 1000s of other final year medical students, at a unique transitional point between studenthood and doctorhood. I therefore deemed this to be an appropriate time to reflect on my time spent in medical school and the key lessons I have learnt during this foundational stage of my training.
Medicine is all about people. And the lessons I have learnt in medical school have been no different. From the leadership experiences I have been privileged to acquire, to the humbling moments during bedside teaching, I have been able to learn so much about people. The lessons I will share from my time in medical school are thus centred in the little insight I have gained into the human condition. As you are most likely a human being yourself, I hope you will find my reflections both insightful and applicable.
Lesson 1: Every person has a story
Through my various experiences both within and outside hospital placements, I have learnt that every person has a story. A story predominantly filled with scars, trauma, victories or accolades. A story of various events that have led to where they are in life. Remembering this truth is not only essential to the doctor-patient relationship, but I believe it is key to every interaction we have in our everyday lives.
It may not always be appropriate or even practical to always explicitly explore the stories of others, but a consistent effort to internally acknowledge this truth could prove invaluable. A consistent effort to remember that behind every presenting complaint, patient number, cleaners or porters uniform, there is a story. One that is unique and one that matters.
I hope to cultivate this habit as I join the profession, inspired by those who are well ahead of me in their careers, who continue to do so despite the various systematic challenges that make this increasingly difficult.
Lesson 2: Every person has a worldview
As I look ahead to the various ethical issues that I am likely to face as a doctor, it will become increasingly necessary to remember this lesson. That every person has a worldview, whether they know it or not. Patient and doctor alike. In the past I have been told by colleagues, “You only believe that because you are Chrisitan”, my response is always, “Perhaps, but why do you believe what you believe?”. Because a choice to believe in ‘nothing’, is a belief in itself.
As doctors of today (and tomorrow), we will do well to remember that we do not leave our philosophy, theology, values and beliefs at the hospital or university entrance. We address the various ethical issues that face our profession through a lens that has been formed over a lifetime. An acknowledgement of the worldviews we possess will thus allow us to understand, analyse and challenge the biases we hold. It will allow us to remember that no individual in a discourse is neutral. This in turn will ensure that we better explore and respect our differing viewpoints, striving to reach a common ground where possible.
Lesson 3: Every person needs people
Many medical students and doctors will agree that both the successful completion of medical school and medical practice cannot be done alone. Every person needs people around them. Every doctor needs a team both in and out of the hospital. Because community is essential to our sense of self. And in this socially distanced, mask-wearing world, we have sadly become all too familiar with the devastating impacts of isolation.
I have carried this lesson in all that I do. Whether it be leading my team, preparing for assessments, or even celebrating exam results. I need people. I need people who will encourage, correct, mentor, inspire, challenge and motivate me to be the best version of myself. I also need to do the same for others. Because as we add and receive value from others, our sense of self and others develops and matures. We become better doctors, and more importantly, better people.
In summary, these are just some of the lessons I have learnt during my time as a medical student. I have also learnt about the effective practice of clinical medicine over the past 5 years, plus some lessons about the challenges that face our health systems during my Master’s. Oh and a great deal concerning how we can effectively and sustainably widen participation within the medical profession. All of which have been incredible and worthwhile. But I believe that as I remain centred and grounded in the humbling lessons that I have learnt about people and how to effectively relate with them, I will remain even more determined to enhance and develop my clinical knowledge, leadership skills and any other technical competencies required to best fulfil any future role I may occupy.
I thank you for taking the time to read these reflections and sincerely hope you have found them insightful. I also hope that you as the reader will be able to take these lessons and also apply them to the various interactions you may have in your everyday life.
Yours truly,
Dr Jacob Oguntimehin MBChB (Dist.) MSc
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