(2023)
Impressions

Celebrating 15 Years of Q&S!

Dear Readers,

In medical school, people from all walks of life come together to be molded into doctors over just four years. Each of us brings something new to the table–an entirely unique experience, perspective, or aspiration. We also bring our own impressions of what it means to be a doctor, which may differ significantly as a result of our respective journeys. From our very first day of orientation, the impressions left upon us and those that we leave on others influence the paths we take. We may be so amazed by a particular lecture that we decide to pursue research on that topic, or we may leave a clinical rotation loving a specialty we thought we despised. However, equally as prominent are the anxieties about the impressions others might hold about us. Many medical students experience some degree of Imposter Syndrome, or the feeling that they lack the qualifications to treat patients and are merely impersonating doctors. As we start clinical rotations, patients see our white coats and call us “doctors,” nurses ask for our thoughts on test results, and family members look to us for updates. In some of these cases, we have to “fake it ‘till we make it” and perform our best impressions of the attendings and residents we’ve observed. As many physicians can attest, these feelings are natural growing pains that can help us ease into the challenging role of care providers. Here at Q&S, we thank those who have left us with meaningful impressions, whether positive or negative, for helping to guide our paths towards becoming the doctors we are meant to be. And to those who may be worried about the impressions they might be making, the advice we offer is the same that has always been given to us: just be yourself! The rest will fall into place.

-Q&S Editorial Board