Volume 188 - Issue 5
In my day
Author: Sara L Barnes
Med J Aust 2008; 188 (5): 320. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01641.x
Published online: 3 March 2008
Published online: 3 March 2008
To the Editor: Since graduating from medical school in 2004, I have dutifully read the Medical Journal of Australia. I was initially intrigued to read sporadic letters to the Editor in which authors, when commenting on current issues in medical education and clinical practice, referred to what happened “in our day”. Topics have included anatomy (eg, dissections), Latin and Greek lessons, teaching methods and hours worked.
At times, I feel that the new generation of doctors, of which I am a part, must justify how we can work as medical professionals given our presumed inadequate knowledge. I believe that the skills I learned while at university have enabled me to successfully manage patients who not only have complex medical problems treated with numerous medications, but often require more support to be provided when at home. My training has taught me to solve problems and resource answers using multiple modalities and resources, at the same time keeping abreast of rapidly evolving medical theories and treatments.
I do so while also facing the current economic challenges of rising insurance premiums, housing costs, and concerns about global warming.
I did not learn Greek or Latin at school, but I did learn to touch type, design a database and formulate a spreadsheet. In my day, when electronic interfaces involved with patient care are changing rapidly, these skills have greatly enabled me for work in the 21st century.