When we all started playing doctor around the time we were in Kindergarten, it was all about curiosity. We learned how our bodies were the same as some and different than others. There was no responsibility for our actions or for our “patient”. The requirements for a licensed physician are much different. Curiosity and self-interest without responsibility is not acceptable. Unfortunately there are some physicians who are in practice, as reported by angry patients on this blog, where curiosity and self-interest trump professional behavior and patient responsibility. In essence, these physicians are only playing doctor.
Students are selected to enter medical school by admissions committees. I have never participated on admissions committees (my only experience was being interviewed by one many years ago). However, there are general criteria which are used including amongst others, college grades both science and non-science courses, medical school admission test scoring, references, social activities including humanitarian and medically oriented participation, how the student communicates their understanding of medicine and their interest in the profession and the general behavior of the student during the interview. But despite all the screening, wrong students are selected and finally end up only playing doctor not being one. Perhaps, the committees are looking at the wrong factors or asking the wrong questions.
I would like to challenge my visitors (most likely experienced patients) to provide us with their own criteria that they think would be very important ones for medical school admission committees to consider when they are evaluating a medical student for admission. Any suggestions? ..Maurice.
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