Cape day

Yesterday, Wednesday July 15^th, was an important day because I wore a hat and costume and shook hands with another man wearing a costume in a hall of other people wearing costumes, and I also got a piece of paper with my name on it. Turns out wearing a baggy gown over my suit was a good idea as it hid (to some extent) my extreme sweatiness in the beautiful sunshine. Despite this many people seemed to want to take my photograph a lot, and there was an awful lot of clapping, smiling, handshakes and sweaty hugs. I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable such a strange series of events turned out to be.

Gryffindor

In the hall those of us receiving our MBChB stood up and recited the GMC’s “duties of a doctor”, a modern-day Hippocratic Oath of sorts. I was reminded that there’s a fair bit of responsibility in my chosen job. I think that it’s quite a good creed, so worth reinforcing by typing it out here:

I promise to:
- Make the care of my patient my first concern, providing a good standard of practice and care
- Keep my professional knowledge and skills up to date and recognise and work within the limits of my competence

I promise to:
- Take prompt action if I think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is compromised, and protect and promote the health of patients and the public

I promise to:
- Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity, treat them politely and considerately and respect their right to confidentiality

I promise to:
- Work in partnership with patients, listening and responding to their concerns and preferences

- Give patients the information they want or need in a way they can understand
- Respect patients’ right to reach decisions with me about their treatment and care

- Support patients in caring for themselves, to improve and maintain their health

I promise to:

- Work with colleagues in ways that best serve patients’ interests
- Be honest and open and act with integrity
- Never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
- Never abuse my patients’ trust in me or the public’s trust in the profession

I know that I am personally accountable for my professional practice
I must always be prepared to justify my decisions and actions