I want to be a doctor when I grow up but...?

Question

What if I make a mistake when I grow up? Both my parents never made mistakes as doctors for at least 20-30 years. My dad's an ob-gyne and my mom's a pediatrician. I get grades above 90. I'm just afraid that I might make a mistake. What if I get disoriented one time? Or what if I get sleepy? or whatever possible scenario? and then I make a mistake? I heard doctors in America gets sued for making mistakes. I'm 15 years old now.

Answer 1

you can do it!!all of us must take the risk!

im nursing a student and i had the same  problem before i decided to pursue my dream of being a nurse..

Answer 2

I understand your concerns, but you are mistaken in thinking that your parents never made any mistakes as doctors. They have made mistakes. ALL DOCTORS MAKE MISTAKES. even senior doctors/surgeons. They just make less mistakes than junior doctors, who make less mistakes than medical students, and so on.

The thing is to work hard and train hard so that you minimise your chances of making errors, especially the big ones ie. that may cause the patient to lose a limb, or die. But as doctors, (eg. i'm a junior doctor), it is common to make little minor 'mistakes' every now and then. What's most important is that:

1. YOU TRY YOUR BEST

2. Seek help when you're out of your depth. Never profess competency in something you're not qualified to do.

3. Do not compromise patient care

4. Be honest about making a mistake, and apologise. When a doctor tries to lie/cover-up, that's when litigation comes a'knocking...

But don't worry too much, once you get into medical school, there are many doctors/seniors who are better than you and are very willing to teach and help you all along the way. Trust me, I've been there once. Everyone starts as a layman. Everyone starts from the same place. And everyone makes mistakes. Even the professors and world-renowned physicians/surgeons/ob&gyn/paediatrician...

Better still, speak to your parents about your desire to study medicine and your concerns about making mistakes. Ask your parents if they've made any mistakes. I'm sure they'll have interesting stories to tell you, their child.

Keep the faith:)

p.s. read the book "Complications" by Atul Gawande - great read!

Answer 3

Don't be so negative. If your parents are that good, then you're probably better or just as good. And everyone makes mistakes. It's part of life : ) IF you continue your studies and hardwork, your going to be successful, I assure you. And just remember when you are doing certain operations that determine lives of people, you need to remember that that person is relying on you to save his/her life...

Answer 4

There is no such things as perfect. You sound paranoid, just do things like meditation, it will clear your mind, help you focus and concentrate, and the bad stuff won't happen as much. The more you think about stuff like that, the more likely it will all happen.

Answer 5

"If you’ve never failed, you’ve never lived"

I've been there where you are. There's nothing wrong with failing, the problem is never getting back up. A grade of 90 isn't perfect. Who cares about perfection? Just try to do your best every next chance you get (plenty will come).

This video will definitively clear things up for you a little bit more... Famous Failures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT4Fu-XDy...