It's Good To Talk
Thoughts for new medical students at a new medical school
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7429.1430 (Published 18 December 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:1430Data supplement
More advice to young doctors from members of the BMJ's editorial board
- Don’t ever complain to house staff about being tired
- Knowledge without the appropriate interpersonal skills cannot benefit patients, and knowledge without the right attitude can be dangerous
- You have to go on learning all your life, and a healthy sense of ignorance is a saving grace
- There’s something for everyone in medicine, but finding the best career for you may take a while—and that’s fine
- Hold yourself to the highest standards of honesty and professional integrity; admit when you are wrong; learn from your mistakes
- Try to stay humble; listen closely to patients. The answers are very often buried in what they tell you
- All doctors are or will be patients
- The more certain you are, the less you know
- Knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put them in a fruit salad
- To enjoy good health eat what pleases you, but in moderation; work hard; do not tell lies, cheat others, or gossip; have the courage to forgive; and treat everyone as your nearest and dearest
- What doctors consider to be good for patients is not necessarily what patients consider to be good for them
- Never under any circumstance lose your sense of humour and your smiles
- Collaboration lies at the heart of modern medicine
- Stick to it
- Becoming a doctor is the most interesting and satisfying career there is
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