I Am a Canadian Doctor

Humanity

CJEM 2000;2(4):277

(A tribute to Canadian medicine inspired by the “I Am Canadian” commercials)

I’m not wealthy, or golfing on Wednesdays. I don’t enjoy health politics,
and I don’t know Dr. Doug Ross, Dr. John Carter or Dr. Kerry Weaver from ER,
but I’m sure they all make much more money than I do.

I enjoy helping the sick and I speak medical lingo sometimes without realizing it.
I enjoy medical trivia,
using Greek and Latin words when I could easily use layman’s terms,
and rereading The House of God.
I believe in universal health care, but realize that it cannot continue in the current medical paradigm.

In medicine, the patient comes first.
I can speak authoritatively on countless medical conditions,
yet I can’t recall the basic sciences. And maybe I can’t read my own handwriting,
but at least I know
what I mean to have written.

Because Canadian medicine is still the best medical system in the world.

The home of Banting & Best, Norman Bethune, and William Osler.
The profession where despite frustrations in health politics and underfunding,
medicine is still practised at a world-class level.

My name is Doctor and I am Canadian. I toast to your health!

— Benjamin Barankin
3rd year medical student, University of Western Ontario,
London, Ont.