Think about the last time you went to the doctor. Most of the time when people go to the doctor, they automatically assume that they are going to come home with a diagnosis and a prescription. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, we come home after being told we have a viral infection and we can’t do anything about it. Sometimes, we find out it’s worse than we thought. And sometimes, there is no answer.

Doctors are human too. Doctors make mistakes just like everyone does. Misdiagnoses happen. Complications happen. Sometimes, doctors don’t have the answer. I get that we want to always get upset with the doctor when we don’t get an answer, but listen up. If you come in and tell me that you have a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and a cough, chances are, those are the symptoms of about 30 different diseases and conditions. You, as the patient, have to give the doctor as much information that could help us find a diagnosis otherwise we won’t be able to give you one solid answer.

Yes doctors are the ones who often make the diagnosis, but nurses do all of the bedside care. Think about the last time you thanked your nurse even for the littlest thing. You never know, they might be nearing the end of their 12 hour shift. Or the techs who clean the rooms, take your vitals. Or what about the phlebotomists? Or the radiology techs? Or every other person you might encounter in that hospital or clinic. I guarantee you, that each and every one of them are trying their best.

As someone who wants to go into medicine, I cannot stress enough the fact that medicine isn’t perfect. I’ve been misdiagnosed. I’ve had prescriptions that didn’t work. I’ve had endless experiences where I’ve left the office with no answer or an answer that wasn’t what I thought it would be. And yet, I still want to go into medicine.

Yeah I hope that I will be an amazing doctor and that I’ll heal a lot of people. But I don’t want to be a doctor because medicine is perfect. I want to be a doctor because medicine is complex, the human body and mind are complex, but caring for people isn’t. I want to be a doctor because knowing that I could save someone’s life is enough to remember my life purpose.

The human body is complex, remember that. Please try and understand that the doctor, nurses, techs, and anyone else who comes into your exam room or your hospital room are all trying to do their best to make sure you get the best care we can provide.