How to Handle Family Medical Consults Like a Pro

The Med Student’s Guide to Surviving Family Gatherings

1. Brace Yourself: The "Doctor in the Family" Status Is Now Permanent

• The moment you enter medical school, you stop being just another family member—you become the family doctor (even if you’ve only completed a semester of anatomy).
  
  
• Relatives will bombard you with medical questions, from minor aches to full-blown diagnostic challenges.
  
  
• Your best bet? Prepare mentally before arriving and set boundaries early.
  

2. The "Can You Look at This Rash?" Dilemma

• The classic scenario: a relative corners you, rolls up their sleeve, and says, "Since you’re in med school, can you look at this?"
  
  
• You now have two choices:
  
  1. Politely decline with something like, "I’d love to help, but I’m still learning, and it’s best to see an actual dermatologist."
     
     
  2. Give a vague but confident response: "It looks pretty standard, but I’d still recommend seeing your doctor."
     
• Pro tip: Never say, "I don’t know." It will only prompt follow-up questions or lead them to Google, which makes everything worse.
  

3. The Unsolicited Medical Advice Showdown

• Every family has at least one person who believes they know more about medicine than you.
  
  
• Classic offenders include:
  
  • The aunt who swears by essential oils.
    
    
  • The cousin who is convinced vaccines cause every known disease.
    
    
  • The grandparent who believes all illnesses can be cured with herbal tea.
    
• Best approach? Smile, nod, and strategically change the topic.
  

4. The Google vs. Med School Debate

• Some relatives will proudly state, "I read on Google that…" followed by something completely wrong.
  
  
• If you attempt to correct them, they will pull out their phones and cite unreliable sources.
  
  
• Your strategy:
  
  • Acknowledge their effort: "I love that you’re taking an interest in health!"
    
    
  • Gently redirect: "That’s interesting. I’d suggest checking with a doctor for the most up-to-date information."
    
    
  • Know when to walk away: Some battles aren’t worth fighting.
    

5. The "I Have This Pain Right Here" Conversation

• If a relative starts describing vague symptoms, get ready for an impromptu consultation.
  
  
• Common scenarios:
  
  • "I have this weird stomach pain. What do you think it is?"
    
    
  • "My knee has been acting up. What’s the best treatment?"
    
• Perfect response? "It’s hard to say without a full exam and tests. You should really see your doctor."
  
  
• If they push for an answer, simply say: "I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong advice without more information."
  

6. Dodging the "What Kind of Doctor Will You Be?" Question

• No matter where you are in med school, family members will demand to know your future specialty.
  
  
• If you say you don’t know yet, expect responses like:
  
  • "You should be a neurosurgeon!"
    
    
  • "Dermatology is where the money is."
    
    
  • "Stay away from psychiatry."
    
• Best way out? Say, "I’m keeping an open mind until I get more clinical experience."
  

7. Surviving the "Doctors Make So Much Money" Myth

• Some relatives assume med students instantly start making millions.
  
  
• They may ask, "So when do you start making big bucks?"
  
  
• Reality check response:
  
  • "Right now, I’m just racking up student loans. I’ll start making money in residency… at minimum wage per hour."
    
    
  • "Medicine is more about passion than instant riches."
    

8. Avoiding the "Can You Get Me a Doctor’s Note?" Request

• At some point, a distant cousin will jokingly (or seriously) ask, "Can you write me a doctor’s note for work?"
  
  
• Your reply should be firm yet playful: "Sure! Just give me 5-10 more years to get my license first."
  
  
• If they persist, redirect the conversation to anything non-medical.
  

9. Handling the "Med School Horror Stories" Segment

• Older relatives love sharing medical horror stories:
  
  • "I knew a doctor who failed their exams and had to become a nurse."
    
    
  • "My friend’s son dropped out of med school—so stressful!"
    
    
  • "I heard about a surgeon who got sued for millions."
    
• Just nod, smile, and say, "That’s interesting! I’ll keep that in mind."
  

10. How to Escape and Recharge

• Surviving family gatherings requires strategic breaks.
  
  
• Escape routes include:
  
  • "I need to check on something in my car." (Even if you just sit there in silence.)
    
    
  • "Oh! I left something in the kitchen." (Stand by the snacks until it’s safe.)
    
    
  • "Excuse me, I need to take a call." (Go to a quiet place and scroll on your phone.)
    
• Self-care tip: Make sure to catch up with the normal family members who ask about your hobbies instead of medical cases.