Tired of this recurring conundrum

You would have to be living under a rock the past decade if you're going through medical school and not faced with this commonplace problem on a day to day basis :

incompetent and uncaring doctors.

Our professors lecture on this topic till they are out of breath and yet I do not see the inherent change that should happen instantaneously within my own cohort. The attitudes remain fairly the same. People remain uncomfortable to speak up, take responsibility, make mistakes and stand corrected all in the process of learning.

Sometimes I wonder, if we are so afraid to make mistakes at this stage in our career, how are we ever going to learn to be safe and competent doctors? Wait to make the mistakes in real life during housemanship? Does that make sense?

I'm so tired of having these thoughts. In fact they may not even be true as I cannot evaluate myself from an unbiased stand point. Maybe in the eyes of others I have the horrible attributes to become a doctor myself? But the way I see it, my most of my cohort do not even give a flying fuck.

Which brings me to wonder on possible reasons why this problem is so commonplace. I have come to two conclusions :

1. Passion. I never believed that Medicine was ever a career. Medicine is a calling. Some people find it very early in life and some people find it eventually. But it has to be a calling for it to be meaningful. Because it is so difficult to train a doctor and the mistakes we make have such disastrous outcomes; I don't see any other way to practice the discipline. People like Dato live and breathe Medicine because it is a calling to heal for them. This is not a reality for most doctors these days which is a horrible fucking shame. I believe my comments sound harsh, but those who find it such a chore to learn should also realize that it also a chore to accept them into this "calling" and sometimes it is better to just leave and try something else that would be more better suited.

2. Education. Our education system does not train us to think. That is why common sense is not so commonplace anymore. SPM is easily aced with rote learning. I thank my parents sincerely for having the foresight to make me do Cambridge exams during high school, promote me to join as many clubs rather than study, and the amazing tutors I have met at a young age in high school. I learned so much beyond the "Malaysian Education System" and I have always believed this to be my edge.

I have yet to prove myself, but when I start housemanship I profess to give my calling 100%.

I will become competent and safe, and make those who parted their valuable knowledge to me proud.

Amen!