HOW TO BECOME A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Dr. Rasaq Ejiwumi

Dr. Ejiwumi studied Medicine at the University of Ilorin

WHAT MEDICINE IS ALL ABOUT
Medicine can be described as the art and science of restoring or ensuring a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. It can be seen as the art and science of diagnosing, treating and preventing illnesses and restoring human health.

Medical professionals are trained in this art of restoring human health while employing various methods which includes medications, surgical operations, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, radiation therapy etc…

Medical doctors do not just presume diagnosis for patients; they adopt systematic methodology which involves the following; Reference to medical records, clinical history taking, physical examination and investigations.

The onerous task of making appropriate diagnosis is one single act that makes a medical doctor unique amongst health care professionals for it is fact that for problems to be rightly solved, source or cause of the problem must be correctly identified. A doctor quickly consults the bank of medical knowledge in his/her brain, couple it with years of experience in practice towards arriving at the best clinical decisions for individual patient.

It is noteworthy at this juncture to state that the art of restoring human health had grown over centuries to involve several cadres of health care professionals including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, ward servants, cleaners, radiographers, social workers, psychologists, etc who work as team while delivering all inclusive medical services to individual patient.

Health according to WHO (World Health Organization) is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of infirmity. This explains why apart from the core subjects of Natural science like Biology, Physics and Chemistry, other social science subjects like sociology, psychology, philosophy, bio statistics and philosophy are areas a prospective medical doctor must have keen interest in.

The relevance of all human endeavours in the practice of medicine becomes even more obvious as medical students progress in training in our various medical schools.

PROSPECTIVE DOCTORS
A prospective medical student does not necessarily need to be extra brilliant in some subjects while performing below average in other subjects because eventually what really does matter is the ability of the student to be above average in all relevant subjects.

Furthermore, the following qualities are basic personality requirements which an aspiring medical  student must possess in other to become a successful medical doctor; average intelligence, credit in physics, chemistry, biology, english and mathematics at O’level, reasonably high score in UTME, excellent performance in post UTME tests,  A level certificate with good grades in physics, chemistry and biology.

In addition to the aforementioned methods of admission into Nigerian medical schools, Direct entry into 200 level through A’level IJMB or cambridge examination and first degree holders in paramedical courses like microbiology, biochemistry, Anatomy, physiology are other means of admission.

Medical students are generally confronted with the task of having to cover so much topics within a stipulated period of time which often is not enough. Therefore, it is very important for aspiring medical students to devise methods of studying that affords him opportunity of covering the huge syllabus within the given time. Borrowing ideas from senior colleagues and identifying personal study preferences usually do the magic.

The rigorous academic and curricular activities during medical schools are deliberately designed to prepare the prospective medics for the future task of taking appropriate clinical life saving decisions even under pressure.

The following personality traits have been identified as a common denominator for successful medical practitioners; patience, tolerance, sympathy and empathy, honesty and integrity, confidentiality, result orientedness, broad mindedness and proactive disposition.

Furthermore,  Medical profession is like apprenticeship where a trainee having read so much in the literature, carefully observe then practice under supervision of more experienced senior colleagues in hierarchical order. Medicine is arguably the most dynamic and rapidly evolving profession globally as research continues unabatedly towards solving global health challenges

A prospective doctor must develop his/her communication skills as he/she would continually need to interact with patients on individual level and make presentations relating to public health and education.

It is very important to state here that medical profession is highly rewarding in terms of financial security and job satisfaction especially for individuals whose main aim of choosing the career is primarily for saving human lives. Medical doctors in Nigeria can be classified into the middle class group, a group that can be said not to be too rich and not poor either as they are able to afford all the basic necessities of life without much hassle. If you aspire to study medicine for the sole reason of joining the club of billionaires, I am sorry; this profession is not for you.

SPECIALITIES IN MEDICINE
There are several specialties in medicine that could attract the interest of a prospective medic. It’s worthy of note to state that specializing in a particular field of medicine is not mandatory as a lot of general practitioners are as equally happy and satisfied as any other specialist.

The following are some of specialties and sub specialties in medical profession; cardiology, nephrology, neurology/neuropsychiatry, gastroenterology, endocrinology, paediatrics and child health, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, orthorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, dermatology etc.

In conclusion, it is with all sense of responsibility that I encourage students aspiring to be doctors to be steadfast in their ambition and religiously pursue same while considering all options for admission. I also want to encourage medical students in our various institutions to count themselves lucky and apply themselves maximally to their studies, so they can graduate in flying colours.

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