Venkatachala Sreenivas

On the Path to Becoming a Physician Venkatachala Sreenivas

Training of medical students physically, mentally, and emotionally is an arduousprocess. The transformation of a lay person entering medical school to that of aphysician is a remarkable process. Almost every medical student embarks on thisjourney with compassion to relieve the suffering of his fellow human beings. There is danger of being emotionally paralyzed by witnessing the misery of the sick,the horror of death, social injustice of lack of medical coverage, and the ingratitude oflitigious patients. Medical school curriculum is geared to teach medical skills. Studentson their own have to deal with the emotional aspects of medicine. To guard against anemotional paralysis, medical students, as a protective measure, may suppress theircompassionate feelings towards their patients and may try to remain aloof when dealingwith patients. In modern day medical practice the technology provides a convenient cover from facingemotional issues. Doctors spend more time reviewing X rays, laboratory results thanspending time talking to patients. The time spent in direct patient care is becoming lessand less. Patients are dealt as cases and not as fellow human beings in need of care andcompassion. Such an approach is neither necessary nor desirable. The author, an experienced surgeon of many years, in the book On The Path ofBecoming a Physician deals with these issues.