Third-year student doctor Robert Sithole shares his experiences of mistakes made at medical school, and their importance to his development.

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When I first entered medical school, I was filled with awe and determination. The pristine white coats, modern labs, and vast medical knowledge felt almost sacred. Like many of my peers, I wanted to excel and be flawless in my pursuit of becoming a doctor. However, as I dove deeper into my studies, I realised that mistakes are not just inevitable; they are a crucial part of the learning process.

At first, the fear of making mistakes was overwhelming. The weight of responsibility – the lives that would eventually be in my hands – made every error feel catastrophic. I vividly remember the first time I misdiagnosed a practice patient during a training session. The shame and self-doubt that followed were paralysing. I questioned my abilities and wondered if I was on the right path.

But as time went on, I started to see my mistakes differently. Each misstep was an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. One of my mentors, an experienced doctor, shared a piece of wisdom that fundamentally changed my perspective. "Medicine is an art as much as it is a science," she said. "And like any artist, you will make mistakes. What matters is how you respond to them."

Embracing mistakes requires a change in mindset. It means acknowledging that perfection is unattainable and that the pursuit of it can hinder our growth. Instead, we should strive for excellence, which includes learning from our errors. In medical school, this approach is vital. It creates an environment where students feel safe to explore, experiment, and learn without the crippling fear of failure.

One of the most transformative experiences for me was during my first year in the anatomy lab. The complexity of the human body is staggering, and the pressure to memorise and understand every detail is immense. I made countless errors in identifying body parts, misremembered relationships between them, and fumbled through dissections. But with each mistake, I became more skilled and knowledgeable. My teachers encouraged us to view these errors not as failures but as steps toward mastery. They reminded us that even experienced surgeons continue to learn from their mistakes.

Another important aspect of embracing mistakes is building resilience. Medicine is a demanding field, and the ability to recover from setbacks is essential. Throughout my training, I have faced many challenges – from tough exams to emotionally difficult clinical rotations. Each time I stumbled, I learned to pick myself up, analyse what went wrong, and find a way to improve. This resilience will serve me well in my future career, where the stakes are higher, and the pressures greater.

Moreover, embracing mistakes in medical school helps develop empathy. Experiencing our own fallibility makes us more understanding of our patients' struggles. It reminds us that everyone makes errors, and that compassion and support are crucial in helping others overcome their challenges. This empathy is a cornerstone of effective patient care and builds the trust and connection essential for the doctor-patient relationship.

In our journey through medical school, it is vital to create a supportive community where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures. Sharing our experiences, both successes and missteps, with peers can provide valuable insights and foster a sense of camaraderie. We are all in this together, learning and growing every day.

In conclusion, embracing mistakes in medical school is not about accepting mediocrity but about striving for continuous improvement. It is about understanding that every error is a chance to learn, develop resilience, and cultivate empathy. As I continue my journey, I hold onto this mindset, knowing that it will not only make me a better student but also a better doctor.