Yes , you are right a medical Student is imagined as someone who have all the knowledge of medicine , someone who is perfect at his work but the people around forget that a medical Student is also a human who makes mistakes and learn from it
Yes, the pressure to be perfect is always there in the field of medicine for healthcare professionals. I always wonder, when the entire field of medicine itself is built on trial, error, evolution, and triumph why we create the pressure on a person who’s on his/her mission to study it towards providing care to others. When the human body itself heals in a step-by-step manner instead of some flawless symmetry, why do we expect a healthcare professional/a medicine student to arrive at the end-point of perfection. Perfection is a very fleeting experience, a learned knowledge is what makes this journey sustainable. And this process of learning is never successful where one is in constant fear to make mistakes and with the pressure to never get it wrong. This is only possible in case of machines and not humans.
Yes, I’ve felt that pressure so many times. It feels like we’re expected to know everything and never mess up. But inside, there’s fear, self-doubt, and stress we rarely talk about. I really wish more people understood that we’re human first, students second.
In medicine and pharmacy, we’re expected to know everything, be strong all the time, and never show weakness but inside, it’s a different story. There are moments of self-doubt, fear, guilt, and exhaustion… and we rarely talk about them.Perfection feels like a rule, not a choice. Even when we’re doing our best, it often feels like it’s not enough. But slowly, I’ve learned that it’s okay to say “I don’t know”, to ask for help, and to take a break without guilt. We’re all still learning not just from books, but from our struggles too.
We don’t need to be perfect. We just need to keep going, with honesty and heart.
Yes definitely we healthcare students have both moral and ethical pressures to handle while dealing with patients.pressure should be feeled in a manner of responsibility not as burden then it will not be felt as pressure.
As an intern pharmacist at a medical shop, I have felt that pressure. People expect quick answers, no mistakes, and full confidence. Sometimes it gets stressful, but I’m learning every day.
You are absolutely right. Me, being a perfectionist, deals with this alot, but you have to learn to give yourself a little break and a little appreciation, you have to let go things.
Felt every word. Behind every white coat is a heart carrying silent battles and not just textbooks. I’ve cried after vivas, doubted myself after results, and still showed up the next day. We don’t need to be perfect… just supported, heard, and reminded we’re human too.
There’s pressure on medical students since there neet preparation times. After there graduation they have to face that pressure at double level.This is a sad reality of medical students.
So many of us are juggling endless expectations: top grades, research, internships, and a picture-perfect resume.
What helps me? Embracing “good enough” instead of flawless, leaning on friends, and celebrating tiny wins like understanding a tough drug mechanism or teaching someone a concept. Recovery from burnout starts with small, steady survive-and-thrive habits.
This post really captures the hidden struggle of medical students. Medicine often glorifies perfection, but the truth is:
Mistakes are part of learning.
Doubt is part of growth.
Struggle is part of becoming a healer.
The problem is not the students—it’s the culture of constant comparison and silent suffering. When we expect “superhumans,” we forget they are first humans.
What we should normalize in medical education:
Saying “I don’t know yet, but I’ll learn.”
Taking breaks without guilt.
Support groups & mentorship to tackle burnout and imposter syndrome.
Valuing progress, not perfection.
In the end, patients don’t need “perfect” doctors; they need compassionate, competent, and human ones.
Question for others: Do you think medical colleges should officially include mental health & resilience training in the curriculum—just like anatomy and pharmacology?
Yes, I’ve felt this pressure so many times. It feels like people expect we should know everything related to body.
As a dentist people ask me question of heart, liver.
We don’t know deeply why they don’t understand that.
Asking for help
What we should normalize in medical education:
In the end, patients don’t need “perfect” doctors; they need compassionate, competent, and human ones.
Question for others: Do you think medical colleges should officially include mental health & resilience training in the curriculum—just like anatomy and pharmacology?