Does Training To Be A Doctor Alter A Persons Character?
I understand that one of the aspects of training to be a doctor involves dissecting cadavers. I have also heard that this can cause a hardening of character. Is this true? How much can it change someone? Has anyone here undergone this form of training or known someone that has?
July 4th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
It isn’t so much a hardening as a maturation. People who deal with life-and-death situations, not only in the health professions but also in the military, the police, etc., learn coping skills to allow them to detach what they feel from what they do. A soldier, for instance, would have to be insane not to be afraid of combat; but he knows that if he allows the fear to overcome his training, he and/or his squad-mates are more likely to be killed. It’s actually somewhat easier in medicine, since the doctor rarely dies from his own mistakes.
July 4th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
It does make one more detached, in a clinical sense. However, it just means that outwardly, the emotions do not necessarily show, but inside, they will still be present, and sometimes become overwhelming.
Some people are really detached when they are in hospital; however, as soon as they leave and go to their personal life, the entire day can hit them and they spend a while sorting through it.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:21 am
it doesnt change at all, cause the cadavers are like real dried up and stuff.
to me its just like its a fake dummy