Self pity will destroy you

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7455.0-g

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Richard Smith (rsmith@bmj.com), editor

Today I'm in old fart mode. I'm on my way to Stockton on Tees to don a gown and speak to students of the University of Durham who have completed the first phase of their medical course. In two weeks' time I'll do the same for students at St George's Hospital Medical School. It's an occupational hazard for old farts, particularly for those who venture into print with sententious advice to medical students (BMJ 2003;327: 1430).

I'm feeling contrite because what I will say to the students is roughly what I've said before, but I'm wondering if I should add …