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Practice the Hippocratic Oath Before Medical School

Discussion in 'Pre Medical Student' started by Dr.Scorpiowoman, May 29, 2017.

  1. Dr.Scorpiowoman

    Dr.Scorpiowoman Golden Member

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    Prospective medical students should practice listening, explaining and clarifying now.

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    Prospective medical students should practice being compassionate and respectful in all areas of life.


    All physicians take the Hippocratic Oath, swearing to fulfill their duty to their patients. And many prospective medical students look forward to the day they take this oath and become physicians. But students don’t need to wait until they graduate to start living out the Hippocratic Oath.

    In fact, they will benefit from practicing the oath now. Civility, emotion and soft skills are essential to medicine and medical school.

    If you aren’t aware, these could fall to the wayside when you become a physician and are consumed with taking care of patients. Here are three key ways you can start practicing the Hippocratic Oath before you even begin medical school.

    • "I will not be ashamed to say 'I don't know'"

    When physicians take the Hippocratic Oath, they swear that they will admit when they do not know the answer. Routinely, I consult other specialists about a patient's care. In doing so, I am calling for their expertise and offer that I don't know the answer.

    Hubris in medicine can easily result in harm to or even death of the patient. The expectation is that you do not know all of the answers but that you will ask the right questions when you're uncertain – and that includes saying "I don't know." These three words make space for learning and humility, as well as for showing respect for the gravity of your responsibility.

    As a prospective medical student, you can begin living out this part of the Hippocratic Oath both in college and eventually in medical school by engaging with teacher's assistants or professors during office hours and asking questions. This exemplifies a thirst for knowledge and is great practice for both medical school and your future medical career.

    During your medical school interviews, anticipate receiving at least one question that you simply won't know the answer to. Instead of allowing this to be a source of anxiety, pounce on this learning opportunity.


    State "I don't know" with confidence and then pivot to "however, I have experienced ..." to detail a situation that is similar and to which you can draw a parallel. This situation could be from volunteer projects, work, college or travels.

    You can also ask about recommended reading for future study. Then thank the interviewer for pointing out a new area for you to explore.

    You will encounter many uncomfortable situations in medicine. Think about your medical school interview as preparation for embracing discomfort and simultaneously demonstrating an openness to learning.

    • "I will … gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow."

    Your ability to share knowledge is a habit you must hone, since teaching will run throughout your medical career – not to mention, you will swear to teaching others once you become a physician. For example, fourth-year medical students share knowledge with third-year students; interns teach medical students; residents and fellows impart knowledge to students; and attendings teach colleagues as well as all those previously mentioned.

    Volunteering for a local literacy program, an English as a second language program or at a primary or secondary school are excellent opportunities to practice explaining, clarifying and listening. This is not simply looking for experiences to create a competitive application – mentorship and tutoring in their many forms spread knowledge.

    • "I will remember ... that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug."


    As a physician, you will swear to treat your patients with respect – respect for their privacy and respect for them as human beings. Your every interaction with patients, staff and colleagues requires mutual respect and consideration to create an optimal environment for health.

    The same applies during medical school. Uncivil behavior begets more uncivil behavior and can add to the stress of medical school.

    Civility starts long before medical school. Use your everyday interactions – particularly during stressful situations – to practice civil behavior.

    Be more conscious of how you speak and interact with people in all walks of life. Use an on-campus job at the bookstore or dining hall as a learning lab, since people are routinely short on time and sometimes patience. Developing the ability to respond to uncivil behavior with compassionate behavior is an achievable skill that aids patient safety and quality of care.

    Beyond practicing this skill, you'll also want to make sure you choose a medical school that is also teaching and leading with respect. There is an inherent power imbalance in medical training, accompanied by the feeling of constantly being critiqued; however, rudeness is not part and parcel of hierarchy. Good leaders can provide even negative feedback without belittling the subordinate.

    While visiting medical schools or during interview day, ask current students about the culture of the school, especially during clinical rotations. Inquire about hierarchy and how entrenched it is at the institution.

    Uncivil behavior can be a marker of heavy workload or poor support, hierarchy or culture. But exploring this aspect can serve as another factor to help you find a school that is the best fit and that will help equip you to be the best physician.

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