Medical students - our doctors of tomorrow

One of the parts of my job I really enjoy is meeting with medical students – our doctors of tomorrow. When I chat with them, I’m always reminded that they share many of the same concerns I had when I was a student many years ago.

Questions such as: Can I really do this? Will I be good as a doctor? What path do I want to pursue? And of course, the recurring question:  How much is this all going to cost?

But our students of today also have their own unique perspectives, based on their experiences and the times they have grown up in. And that’s as it should be. They know IT, they want more work-life balance, and many want a simpler, more straightforward compensation model. 

So we’re different, but in many ways, the same. We all want to make a positive difference, to make our world a better place, one patient at a time!

In the next few weeks, I’ll be attending a number of student networking events organized by Doctors of BC in Vancouver and Victoria. I will be joined by a number of medical colleagues to talk to students about some of the choices ahead, and answer any questions we can about fields of practice they may be considering. It’s a small thing to do, really, but who knows – we may have a big impact on someone’s future career decisions. 

As I get ready for the events, I want to take a moment to encourage all physicians out there to step up and do something  - big or small – to help mentor a medical student. Remember, we were all there once. And just as it takes a village to raise a child, so it takes a village of medical professionals to help produce a doctor of tomorrow. 

Hope you’ll take a moment to read my commentary on this topic in this month’s BC Medical Journal. 

- Dr Bill Cavers

2014-2015 President