Junior doctors enter practice with strong knowledge but limited real-world experience. When mistakes happen, patients often judge them more strictly than senior doctors. Experience is closely linked with trust, so an error from a junior may be seen as incompetence, while the same from a senior may be viewed as an exception.
Because juniors spend more time interacting with patients, their uncertainty or small oversights become more visible. Yet, many issues arise not from the mistake itself but from how it’s handled. Honest communication, empathy, and willingness to seek guidance often matter more than flawless performance.
Medicine is learned through practice. Supporting junior doctors instead of blaming them ultimately improves both their growth and patient safety.
After all, if young doctors aren’t allowed to learn, how will tomorrow’s experts be created?
MBH/PS