So You Wanna Be a Doctor?
Editor’s note: From time to time we hear from young adults considering a career in medicine who want to know if the C. O. has any advice for them. No offense to the good doctor but this is like asking King Midas if he can spare any gold trinkets lying around the palace. From helpful hints to meddlesome twaddle, our narrator is a wellspring of guidance, and the topic of nurturing the inchoate physician is dear to him. Therefore ladies and gentleman, without further ado here he is, bulging with words of wisdom for all those students out there thinking of raising the right hand and swearing by Hippocrates to serve the sick and injured. Please welcome The Cheerful What’s-His-Name.
[A smattering of applause is heard, coming mainly from the front rows.]
Thank you for that warm welcome. It’s a pleasure to be standing here today in front of such an attentive crowd. As you heard in the introduction our topic today concerns the traits that comprise a great doctor, or as Sammy Davis would say, what kind of fool am I to want to go into medicine?
[Sound of crickets chirping…]
Well then, let me proceed. [Drops notes on floor - brief pause while he gathers them up and places them in order…janitor walks out on stage and adjusts microphone stand, then trips on way out, much to delight of crowd.]
Pardon me. As I was saying, here are the attributes that I believe identify the individual who would prosper in the medical profession. Think of these features as clues that can be used to identify a young adult, even a youth, who just might have what it takes to become not just a successful doctor, not just one sincerely happy and satisfied with a life in medicine, but one who will never fear, never falter and never fail in his devotion to the sick and injured. May I have the first slide?
WHAT MAKES A GREAT DOCTOR?
A HIGHLY BIASED APPRAISAL
BY THE CHEERFUL ONCOLOGIST
WWW.CHEERFULONCOLOGISTGEARFORTHEWHOLEFAMILYCASHORCREDITONLY.COM
1. A great doctor loves the written word. One has to possess not only strong reading comprehension skills in order to be a great doctor, but one must crave reading - it must consume the waking hours (when not eating, exercising or watching American Idol). If you don’t enjoy reading you should consider a different career, because doctors have to read constantly to understand what is going on with their patients, not to mention keeping up with new advances in medicine.
2. A great doctor is curious. He asks Why? and How? throughout the day and throughout his life. He is not satisfied with the status quo or with answers such as “Just because,” or “It’s always been done that way.” He will challenge the rules, search for alternate solutions and think of ideas never before considered until he sees evidence of progress. He has an insatiable desire to learn.
3. A great doctor is observant. One doesn’t become a master clinician by failing to recognize all the clues strewn about a case, just as one does not become brilliant by viewing the world through dull, apathetic eyes. A great doctor is always aware of his environment; some can even read people like a book, which helps significantly in counseling patients. You wouldn’t walk over a one hundred dollar bill without noticing it would you? Then why not use perspicacity in all your endeavors?
4. A great doctor is a problem-solver, not an excuse-maker. He states with confidence, “The buck stops here,” and doesn’t try to get others to perform duties that are his responsibility, no matter how exhausting the task ahead may be. He tackles a difficult situation with a steadfast sense of optimism, even though he knows the outcome may turn out to be heartbreaking.
5. A great doctor enjoys the company of other people. He likes to meet new folks of all ages and backgrounds, and is truly interested in their lives and what they have to say. This in my opinion is the Achille’s heel of all physicians, and woe to those who get far into their career before they realize that they hate seeing patients. The poison from this sting may not be deadly, but it can rot the heart, alienating the doctor from his source of strength.
6. A great doctor has no hidden agenda. He starts each day as a tabula rasa, and does not prejudge anyone based on their look (or smell for that matter), or their attitude, or their beliefs. His job is to serve those who are sick whether he would ever invite them over for a cuppa or not.
And finally, a great doctor possesses fortitude - an unshakable sense of hope, a deep appreciation of how difficult today’s struggles are yet a powerful belief that tomorrow will be better. He is a faithful soldier, never leaving his post unless he is no longer needed, or he can no longer stand.
You’ve been a great audience. Thank you very much.
