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The Privilege of Being a Third-Year Medical Student
We were told that as third-year medical students, we are lucky because we have time to really get to know our patients as people. It turns out to be true.
Our deans told us at the beginning of the third year of medical school that we would be talking with patients more than anyone else on the medical team. We would serve as advocates for our patients’ wants and needs. They said that although our medical knowledge is still limited in comparison to the doctors above us, the patients commonly remember the students more than anyone else. That is the privilege of being a third-year medical student.
It comes down to time. The residents and attending physicians have many patients to see each day. And, they only have time to briefly visit the bedside to elicit key information that affects patient care.
We are the lucky ones, we were told, we third-year medical students. While our resident is busy managing more than a dozen patients-most of whom have multi-systemic, complex problems-we are beginners, entrusted to manage a handful of patients at a time.
As beginners, it takes us more time to think through algorithms of management and treatment options. A handful of patients is plenty. Having only this handful allows us to really get to know…
