Essay: On Knowledge
On Knowledge
As I drift through the lazy days of summer between my first and second year of medical school, there is a question that plagues me. It pops up at unexpected times - when I'm driving, when I'm talking to a Resident, or while I'm following around a physician.
How will I ever remember everything necessary to be a good, effective doctor?
The past year as a first year medical student taught me more than I ever imagined was possible. I have stacks of notes that I "know" and I've only completed one year out of four - seven, if you count Residency as well. When I think about how much I've learned, how much I know, I immediately realize how much there is still to learn and how very far I have to go.
It seems impossible to remember it all. I've already forgotten the details of the biochemical pathways I learned just two months ago, and the idea of remembering all of the renal tubule channels in four years is laughable. And so I am left with the nagging question - how will I remember what is necessary? How will I know what the necessary even is?
I take comfort in the realization that while I do not remember all of the details of what I have learned, the major concepts are still firmly planted in my brain. And I think that is probably the whole point. Details can be looked up in a book, but the primary foundations are what I will need to have in order to be able to accomplish anything with a patient.
At least that is what I'm hoping.