Medical schools’ duty of care and the future of medicine S T U D E NT E S S AY
In March in 2017 on a skiing holiday at the age of 67 and very much in his prime George Lewith died suddenly. There was standing room only at his memorial service – a testament to his many friendships and the respect George had earned in the field of complementary medicine research where he was an international leader. In 2016 George and I had initiated a series of annual symposia with the aim of bringing together medical teachers, students and researchers for whom, in our ever faster moving and over-pressured healthcare system, the wellbeing of medical student (and doctors) has become a key issue. In George’s memory we began in 2017 to offer a medical student essay prize bearing his name and reflecting our shared concerns.
Mental health problems are more prevalent among medical students than in other student groups, and medical students are less likely than others to seek help. Doctors face increasing scrutiny, accountability and litigation, which together with the erosion of their former professional status and autonomy make for an uncomfortable professional climate. In addition, doctors are expected to evaluate ever-accumulating research
evidence, integrate novel management options into clinical practice, and to be continually appraised and re-validated as accountable, competent professionals. Consequently medical schools face very significant challenges in preparing the next generation of doctors for the uncertain times ahead and the increasingly difficult realities of practice. These winning essays consider medical schools’ duty of care.
Wassim Merzougui Final year medical student, University of Southampton
Initially, I was drawn to medicine to have a role in improving the quality of lives in the public, while incorporating my fascination of the human body. It is not only an intellectually stimulating career, but one that is humbling, where vulnerable patients place their trust in doctors to treat them holistically. I’m passionate about medical education and advocacy for both patients and healthcare professionals. During my placements while at medical school, any doubts I had to pursue medicine quickly evaporated, as I witnessed the sheer variety in patient presentations making it a challenging, but rewarding career choice.
The wishful applicant Mirror, mirror, on the wall, out of all these glossy brochures, which medical school (MS) should I go for? Looking back at my college days (but not too far back), I was at a stage that most teenagers dreaded and that was making a ‘decision’. A decision regarding which course, university and most importantly, which student current account to hide my pennies in. There are 32 medical schools recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, and yet there I was debating whether there were 32 cities in the UK. At this point, you might have pretty much 54
guessed that I desperately needed some career advice (preferably where there were no mirrors around me). My first bit of advice came from my first lifeline ‘phone a friend’, who advised me to base my decision on the metrics of which area offered the cheapest alcohol and simultaneously offered the most fun on a night out. I quickly drew the conclusion that some people should never offer any advice. Although, I was grateful that he considered my financial and social wellbeing. My next chosen lifeline was: ‘ask the audience’ who is also known as my father. He quickly pointed to the six hairs on my chin and stated that the decision was mine, and only mine © Journal of holistic healthcare
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Volume 16 Issue 2 Summer 2019
