Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In the high-pressure world of medicine, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase: entrance exams, merit lists, degrees, fellowships, accolades. For most aspiring doctors, the first step in the journey is about one thing and one thing only is to get that medical seat. It feels like the ultimate goal of life. But as the journey progresses, a deeper realization sets in — being a doctor is not just about the seat; it’s about the identity.
Beyond the Entrance: Lifelong Learning
Medical education doesn’t end with MBBS. It is an ongoing process of postgraduate-level qualifications, getting specialisations, getting further super-specialisations, applied resources, and so forth. Any newer qualification may give you a better title or status, but it will never redefine the core reality:
You are a doctor.
This identity is not subjected to any grade or branch or institution; rather, it is in the full pledge to heal, to serve, and to be there when it matters the most.
When the World Measures Differently
There are certain moments when the world sets different parameters for success, materialistic ones – cars, clothes, the addresses, and the status of others. No wonder doctors are also at the receiving end of such shallow measurements, despite their contribution to humanity.
This is demonstrated by a little personal incident. After a postgraduate degree and the purchase of a small car, I went to a party organised by a friend who had opened his second restaurant. Somewhere during the celebrations, it was said, “You used to be good at studies- what happened to you?”
It was a comment that reflected how often the value of a person, even a doctor, is weighed by possessions rather than purpose.
The True Wealth of a Doctor
The answer to that remark came from a friend who understood the essence of being a doctor. He explained that true value doesn’t lie in external assets but in three priceless qualities every real doctor carries:
- A brain that thinks selflessly about the well-being of patients, without discrimination or bias.
- A heart that silently promises every patient, “You will be okay. I’ll do everything I can.”
- Ten fingers that connect the promise and thought to meaningful action.
These three — the brain, the heart, and the hands — form a sacred trinity. They’re not owned, displayed, or flaunted, but they define the soul of a doctor.
A Silent Pride
Doctors are rarely the loudest voices in a room. Over time, many become quieter, more reflective. It’s not because they lack ambition or success. It’s because they carry the quiet pride of saving lives, comforting families, and standing beside patients in their most vulnerable moments.
There’s a unique peace in knowing that even without applause, without recognition, a life was healed because of your presence.
Conclusion: A Title That Speaks for Itself
In a world that often demands titles and designations, perhaps the simplest, most powerful introduction a person can make is:
“I am a doctor.”
It’s not just a profession. It’s a privilege. A lifelong promise. And above all, a deep-seated purpose that transcends all else.
