A career in medicine is a total life commitment so before writing off to the Universities Central Admissions Service (UCAS) it is important to think long and hard about your suitability to become a doctor. For example, if you cannot stand the sight of blood or are somewhat squeamish, then being a doctor is not for you. Similarly, training can be over several years causing potential financial hardship, plus with periods of on-call you may get some sleep deprivation too, although with the onset of the EU’s Working Time Directive, it’s not as bad as it used to be. And finally, even more importantly, at some stage in the future, you will be asked to make judgement calls on a human life, maybe be involved in switching off a ventilator machine keeping someone who is brain dead alive. So you have to be prepared and be able to cope with those pressure calls.
Some of the key personal attitudes, abilities and skills The General Medical Council (GMC) defines as necessary to become a doctor are:
- Be aware of the importance and therapeutic potential of the patient/doctor relationship and adopt an empathic and holistic approach to patients and the problems they present.
- Understand and engage in reflective practice/audit and appraisal of their own and others’ work.
- Highlight an ability to work effectively within a team and share learning.
- Working within the limits of their responsibility and capability and making decisions in partnership with colleagues and patients.
- Be able to prioritise the care of ill patients and manage their own time.
- Keep proper medical records and practice current medical procedures.
- Apply ethical & legal knowledge, confidentiality, consent, honesty and integrity
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