Becoming a Physician: A 40-year Retrospective on Medical Socialization

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2024.2508

Keywords:

Socializations, Medical Education, Physician-Patient Relations, Professional Socialization, Mental Health, Stress, Psychological, Interpersonal Relations, Self Concept, Professional-Patient Relations, Social Support, Adaptation, Psychological, Physician's Role, Burnout, Professional, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Medical Ethics, Self Care, Empathy, Counseling, Professionalism, Career Choice

Abstract

The medical training and socialization process can be stressful and at times even traumatic. Medical students must develop ways to nurture their vitality, refine their values, be true to theirselves, and develop their capacities as healers in the face of the difficult medical socialization processes. This article outlines the challenges of medical training and socialization, and then reviews well-established principles and practices for becoming a vital, skillful, and healing physician.

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References

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The image is a richly detailed illustration created for an article titled "Becoming a Physician: A 40-year Retrospective on Medical Socialization." At the center, there's a silhouette of a thoughtful person, possibly a physician, with an illuminated backdrop symbolizing enlightenment and reflection. Surrounding the figure are various symbols of medical education and practice, including an hourglass, books, a stethoscope, and an academic graduation cap, arranged in a circular formation suggesting the passage of time. The hourglass is particularly prominent, representing the 40-year journey. Medical icons like a heart, a caduceus, and other healthcare symbols are also interspersed, hinting at the enduring core values of the medical profession. The overall tone of the image is contemplative and introspective, visualizing the personal growth and transformation that occurs over a long career in medicine.

Published

2024-03-27 — Updated on 2024-04-12

How to Cite

McGee, M. (2024). Becoming a Physician: A 40-year Retrospective on Medical Socialization. International Journal of Medical Students, 12(1), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2024.2508