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Since I am Dorothys best friend I would know she spent her time with her boyfriend and may have become dependent on him being around. This would then allow me to speak with her in privately about how she felt about their breakup and ask her more personal questions than if I was a strange. I would then know her favorite things, hopefully and I could suggest we do those together so she didn't feel alone. I would also suggest that she either talk with me or a therapist so she can have a safe place to pour her feelings out so we can get her back out in the world and doing what she likes.
student-54
Someone may not agree with this because they view education as a luxury. Someone who believes that educational institutions should continue charging high prices may view education as a status symbol rather than a fundamental right.
student-75
My concern would be to not exacerbate my relationship with Amy, but to properly acknowledge her. I would first have a private conversation with her, acknowledging her efforts and how they have positively affected the work environment and improved our space. I would then seek to remain honest with her and apologize for my mistake. I would then offer her a gift or award to make up for it, such as a paid vacation or time off, ensuring we maintain a proper and friendly relationship
student-451
I would not give the customer a refund, although I understand that they are struggling financially. Because I don't know the truth to the situation, I would offer solutions which would not go against store rules. For example, I would provide a list of reselling companies/services which they could use to get some of their money back, so that it could help them out while not putting my job in jeopardy.
student-213
I would get involved. As an employee, it is my responsibly to strive towards a honest work environment and the success of the business. The coworker being hishonst and stealing detracts from that. As a fiend I would work with her to find alternatives to earning the money she needs. There are resources available to provide her with the are she needs so she can get back on her feet.
student-550
It was my first season playing with a mens soccer team. Everyone was ages 30 or older, and I was only 19 at the time. Theyve been playing together for many years and have a strong bond/friendship with each other. At halftime of a game, they were discussing tactics since we were losing 2-1. I wanted to give my input about a tactical change we could make, but was too timid. I didnt know how theyd react or if my suggestion was helpful, and was too scared of being embarassed for it.
student-229
My main concern is the fairness to all members, and the wellbeing of the no-show student if they try to take credits without any effort. They might facing some difficulties, so I would talk with them privately to see are they experiencing something difficult. If no, then I would tell them that they need to put effort on the project, so we could do the presentation togteher, and I would like to help them. If they do, then I would ask is there anything we can help, and we will help them go through the difficulties, and help them do the project together. If the difficulty cannot be solved, I would like to ask our teacher, and come up a solution together.
student-636
Depending on the context of the situation, I don't think a fine would be necessary. To explain, if the teens did not know that they were trespassing private property and they had not damaged the property giving them a fine without warning would be harsh and may discourage the kids from their meaningful charity work. I would talk to them in a non-accusatory way and ask them for their insight on the situation. I would provide them with a warning if this was the first offence and would help them find a location that would be suitable for their sale.
student-302
I think it is so accurate in its simplicity and in how it can be widely applied. I also think it is because of how understandable it is. So many difficult situations can get initial solutions by the idea of treating others like you would want to be treated. And it adapts to the culture
student-320
I believe that leadership skills can always be developed and that leadership qualities can evolve as the world changes. We should be continuously questioning and adapting our leadership skills for different situations and environments. No, I don't think that this approach is counter-intuitive, leadership is earned everyday, we should always be looking to develop and improve those skills, especially as professionals.
student-366
When i was in undergrad there was a time when I was working for a professor that I wanted a reference letter from as well i was taught by. They would ask me to do many additonal tasks after working hours (i.e., data entry, email me, aks for quick reports) and I would do them without any question since they had a lot of power over me. MEaning that they had the ability to greatly influence my life, so I did not question affecting my work-life balance for them. The work was due for a conference that i was not aware of and the request came out of no where
student-317
I would first go talk with the student privately. I would tell her that I saw her cheating and that it is my responsibility to ensure academic integrity but also emphasize with her and say that I understand her struggles and that its a difficult course. I would encourage her to take responsibility and admit cheating to the prof, which may result in her getting a less harsh punishment.
student-687
I think someone may not agree with this statement if they take the stance that education and knowledge can vary vastly by culture, and also by subspecialty. For example, medicine requires a lot of knowledge, but not everyone wants to have this knowledge. THat being said, in this case it may not be right that everyone shares, but an optional virtue that some may opt for. In some cultures, too, education is enforced for certain groups of people, but not as enforced for others. For example, in the United States, education was not pushed for women for so long. They had other dutires that they were socially entiteld too, and while that does not mean that they didn't have a right to education, it meant moreso that they had a right to educating themselves about information pertaining to the tasks they were entitled to.
student-45
Jen is dealing with a delicate situation. If I was her, I would first have a private and non judgmental conversation with my friend. I acknowledge her feelings and tell her I support her. Jen should tell her that it is not her intent to make her feel this way. While she might think that forming this book club, we will be glorifying the heteroxesual relationships - I will inform her that this group is also about critically analysing the books and we don't always have to support the stance of the author.
student-538
Given that we are at a public event, I would try to handle things as discretely as possible. I want to foster a healthy, positivie, collaborative work enviroment without calling anyone out or making a scene. So, I would first take note, is it just one person making the comments and everyone else laughing? If thats the case, I would approach them in private after the dinner and have a heart to heart and inform them that if I were in those peoples shoes, I would feel hurt. Also, its important to note what is the nature of the innappropriate jokes because maybe that person has given consent and thinks theyre funny. For example, my family calls my brother joe dirt (because he looks exactly like him) my brother laughs and roasts us right back. So, depending on the nature of the jokes, that would influence how I act, if i act at all.
student-262
I would think if my co-worker is going to be offended by the prank and about the intentions of my other co-worker who is pranking. I would talk to the co-worker who is going to do the pranking and ask him what he is going to do. If it is something that I deem will be very offensive I willed him know that he should refrain from doing so as he will hurt a fellow team member. If he does not understand this I would let him know that I will inform my fellow co-worker about what he is going to do so he can be aware of the situation and not be hurt.
student-373
I would get involved by talking to my friend about it first. I would approach her in a calm manner and ask her if everything is okay. I would then advise her that I have to disclose this to our boss.
student-701
J'essaierais d'arrêter mon ami de regarder le téléphone de l'hôte, étant donné qu'il s'agit de quelque chose de privé. Toutefois, s'il a obtenu sa permission avant, il s'agit d'une situation différente étant donné que l'hôte a déjà donné son consentement.
student-632
No, they should not. All patients no matter their socioeconomic status or connections should have the same treatment as any other patient. I can understand how the hospital and the staff can feel very grateful for the donation. This donation can help them run the hospital with the most standard of care. But anyways, they should treat all patients f
student-462
I believe the corporate tax rate should be lower as it attests to the group of individuals that started up the business. Starting a business is a very difficult venture, with a lot of risk involved thus, having lower taxes to allow them to prosper can benefit society by increasing production for purchase. I also empathize with those who are underserved and who are lower in socioeconomic status. I think increasing government provided services such as, community centers, affordable house etc... can allow for a balanced solution.
student-673
I immigrated to Canada from Pakistan. Growing up, I was deeply engaged in Pakistani culture and was never exposed to western media or movies. The only two English songs I knew were by Taylor Swift and Justin Beiber. My parents got a job in a small town in Alberta and we were the only immigrant family there. I felt a sense of isolation and seclusion as I was different from everyone else. Students talked about basketball and hockey during lunch break at school and I did not know anything about those sports. I felt that I did not belong as I couldnt speak English and struggled to fit in due to my background. However, this feeling did not last long. I started to make friends in the next 2 weeks and they invited me to their house and basketball games. I started learning about Canadian culture and overtime felt more included in the conversations.
student-125
If I were her best friend I'd first be sure to give her a compassionate ear to listen to her vent. If I was in her scenario I would really appreciate knowing someone was there to listen to my feelings so I would first be that person for Dorothy. I would suggest getting out even if just for a walk to get some sunlight. I would encourage her to do this with me as her best fried so she doesn't feel alone. I would ensure her that we could take things at her pace and she could always cut an excursion short if she no longer feels comfortable. But I would encourage her that getting out would help her feel better especially with a friend.
student-35
This is a difficult situation because I am worried about the wellbeing of my group members but also about being fair to my group and myself since it is not fair for someone to bail on a project last minute. I would first gather more information by privately talking to the member in a non-judgmental manner and asking about his injury. I would also ask him about how he is able to go out with my friend when he is unwell. Maybe he just went out of the hospital for a little if allowed by his doctor before returning. If so, I would approach the teacher for an extension after explaining the circumstances. If he is actually lying about being injured, I would explain how is actions are affecting the group and ask him to complete his part. If he does great, if he does not then I would report him to the teacher. I would also give him option to come forward himself before repo
student-392
I tell my brother that I admire his passion and his interest in teaching. I would also hope that he considers if he enjoys working for long periods of time with people and that some people may not always be in the best mood/mindset. If he is able to handle people in poor moods, he should also consider whether or not he likes working with certain ages, as some people like working with children more than adults. He should also consider the impact he has on others and recognize that his job is integral to shaping people's futures and creating a lasting, life long impact.
student-541
There are a few different characteristics and life plan aspects to this question that my brother should consider. Although he has had a very positive experience with his teacher he should try to consider his own personal interests and life goals before making a decision. For example, what schooling will be required for this job, will it fulfill his financial goals, does he have other skills like organization, and good communication that would make him a good teacher.
student-58
As a health care provider, the saftey and health of the patient is the most important thing. I would understand the patient not wanting to wear a mask for personal right reasons but in a setting such as a hosiptal, the roles of th ehosptial are of the ut most importance. I would still allow the patient to be treated while keeping these thought in mind. I would explain to the patient why they should wear a mask, and hopefully by eduating them on the importance, they may change their mind so no one is at risk.
student-175
I work as waitress as a restaurant during the summer and having bee there for several years, I am activiely involved in training new-hires. This involves shadowing, support as well as feedback for new-hires. One summer, I had to provide feedback to a waitress regarding the way they interacted with some of our older customers. Unfortuntealy, she was often impateint and unaccommodating to customers with mobility issues. I approached her after close, in a private setting and asked for time to chat. Then, I made sure she knew i was going to provide some pointers based on what I had noticed this past shift. I made sure to sandwhich the improvement feedabck with positive: \"You did a great job keeping up with the pace of our fast dinner shift today. However, it might be worht considering being more apteint and understanding of our elderly customers. That said, I really appreciated when you ehelped clear my tables and I hope you will come to me for help int eh future as well.:\"
student-166
I would let them know that I am not comfortable with these jokes and try to shift the conversation in a new direction. I would try to bring up a new topic that interests everyone, so we can stop making fun of people, but hopefully still get along with my coworkers.
student-647
i report it to my supervisor in a way that is respectful and objective. i will simply say that i noticed a post on the company page and that i was not the one to post it but i beleive that it should be taken down because it could be taken to be offensive. i would emphasize a solution to the problem which is that the interns will ensure that it is taken down and appropriate action is taken, such as making a statement to address and apologize for the post.
student-274
While, I can see why this suggestion would make the residents with dementia feel better it is not fair to the other residents playing the game.
student-369
Firstly, I would speak to the teens privately. Although the event is happening for a charitable cause, it is not respectful or legal to hold events on private property without the permission of the owner of that property. Thus, I would first ask the teens if they obtained permission from the owner. If not, then I would then ask respectfully why they decided to hold the event on that specific property. Potentially, someone else had given them permission to do it, or one of the teens knew the owners and that they would be okay with it. In such cases, I would talk to the teens about the importance of obtaining proper consent before holding events, empathizing with them that although they had a good cause, they would need to do their proper due diligence next time. I would then offer them potential venues for their next event. To maintain justice, I would enforce the punishment associated with breaking these rules, whether that be a fine or a warning.
student-25
I believe it is important to have empathy for those with different beliefs than your own and to try to understand where they are coming from. This world is filled with individuals with varying beliefs, ideals and values and it is important to be tolerant and respectful regardless of whether they conflict with your own. I believe that i should stay at my current job as it can be a growing process for me teach me about tolerance and communication.
student-337
I think that in this situation I would be honest with everyone because it would be unethical to remain silent. I think that I would not immediately accuse Emily of cheating, but instead simply report to Daniel about what I observed, as objectively as possible. Then, it will be up to Daniel to interpret and Emily to explain. For example, it could be that I did indeed see her arms around another man but he could just be a friend or even a family member that I was not previously aware of. However, I still believe that I should at least mention what I saw.
student-179
Dave should first talk to the man to comfort him and understand what is happening. This man may have mental health struggles, but this may be a single occurance in which he needs comfort, or he could just appear to be talking to himself when he actually has headphones. Dave should ask if everything is alright and if he can help in any way. If the man seems like a threat, Dave should call the police. If the man is harmless but confused, Dave should provide comfort by talking to him \"everything is alright, you are on the subway right now, my name is Dave and I am here to help\" and sending him to a help centre.
student-91
I would start off by exploring all my options first in order to decide whether to give the refund or not. I would ask my manager or a person in charge if there was any way to by pass the store policies and make an exepection in this case as it is for a medical issue. If there was no way, I would try to provide the customer with other means or resources to financial help such as government provided resources or help them myself in this situation.
student-306
I think this quote has quite a few flaws as their is so much more to a job then looking like you know what you were doing. This can become an ethical issue as many jobs hold important standards and ethically and legally you should be able to fully understand your job.
student-542
that the act of being open to new knowledge is the only way to continually learn as a person. I think by experiences he learned so many different views and understanding of concepts thta he realized his own thoughts may not be right and thus he should not only question what other say but also his own beleifs.
student-553
Yes, I would tell them to stop abusing the cat or that I would call the police. If they stopped, I would try to help take the cat to a shelter so that it can try to find a better home. If they didn't I would call the police.
student-676
This is a very difficult situation, so a lot is running through my mind. My first thought is that my collegue might not be taking that flight today and it might be for another day, but it's also possible that they might be taking that flight for that night even though they've been drinking.
student-707
After seeing them pickpockiting I would definitely get involved as this would be a form of stealing from the store and against most company policies. I would first pull the collegue aside in a private room and explain to them what I saw them doing, and ask for them to explain what they were doing, in case I misread a situation. If they confide in me that they were using it to support themselves being a single mother, I would emotionally support them and listen to their struggles that they are explaining. However, would emphasize that stealing from stores is incorrect and that they should return the money and report it to their supervisor so they the correct protool can be followed. However, if they fail to return the money then I would have to report it to my supervisor.
student-189
I would not simply laugh along with my co-workers because even though we are in a casual environment, I still don't think it is nice or appropriate to make rude comments about other people, especially if they were to be heard. I will try to steer the conversation away from the negative talks and focus on other topics. I will also look around my cowokers, as it may just be one or two people that are making the comments and everyone else laughing along because they don't know what else to do. If so, I will approach these co-workers in a non-judgemental and friendly manner in private about the comments and how some people might think it is a bit insensitive. I won't be jdugemental but i will just mention how some people might feel uncomfortable hearing them.
student-333
I would sympathize with Jeffrey as this convention does not seem to be very inclusive. Indeed, I do not think it is very fair for some people to have their religious holidays as relaxing times with virtually no work while others have to work as usual on days of celebration and festivities.
student-413
My interpretation is that if people see a person who appears to be competent and someone who is trustworthy, they'd be more likely to work with them and trust them to help them as an image or personal brand is created.
student-595
Since homeowners' property is considered private property, what happens on their land is their responsibility. I think if homeowners are unable to pay for such costs there should be options for subsidies to ensure that the animal and people around do not get harmed.
student-703
je crois que cette citation veut dire quun professionel doit avoir lair de savoir ce qu'il sont en train de faire, soit davoir lair compétent, afin dinspirer de la confiance dans leurs clients/patients. un professionel ne doit pas avoir lair perdu tout le temps et doit être confiant en soi meême.
student-136
In this case the intervation of a proffesion is necessary as the wellbieng of the animal and the house owned is hte most importat. THat being the case it has to be taken into account that the economical conditions of the home ownes could be affected by the predense of this animals. If the animals were there often I would propse to create a fund that would help the house owners for a low price. If it is not frequent at all getting a proffesional form afar would be necessary. Either way it is always important to take care of the animals and the people and a price should not be in the way of someones wellbeing.
student-84
Recognizing that this is a violation of integrity and a major moral dilemma, I would tell my friend that plagiarism is never okay and can be very harmful to his record. I would also mention that it is unfair to the other students who dedicated time to writing the lab themselves. I would encourage him to contact the teacher and ask for extended him instead of submitting the plagiarized work. I would help them draft an email to their professor if they needed help doing so.
student-384
Teamwork sometimes does not work due to lack of communication, which can lead to a number of problems. Lack of communicating each team members goals for the team as well as individuals needs is vital in creating a good team environment, and without communication this can lead to team failure.
student-615
I would first contact my supervisor and ask to them with ASAP, tellign them know that what I need to dicuss is very important. I would inform them that a post has been made and that the public migh tfind it offencly. I would then should them the post and ask it they would like to take it down ot ==r make a statement about the eror that was make. During our dicussion I was also like them know that I do not know who posted this post but all I know that it was not me. I would also ask if there is anything I can do to help migate the situation.
student-589
Since the most pressing issue here is the lack of respect for the people who lost their lives and were affected by concentration camps, I would talk to the teenagers or their parents/supervisors. I need to consider the people affected by this behaviour, including the teenagers, but also everyone present and everyone affected by concentration camps.
student-442
This situation invlives examzing the case to ensure my academic well being while also ensureing I am not accusing someone of something they did not do. First i would examinie the room and see maybe i mispalced my book, ask the front desk if someone refported a lost book, ask the people around. If I still could not find it, I would start a friendly converstaion with the person and ask \"Have you seen my book that was here, I missplaced it I think\". If they said they did not then I would give them my number and ask to report to me. I would also report to the lost and found section. i have no enough evidence to accuse them. If my book had some marks, then ai owuld politely ask the person to look at their book for some reference and ensure my mark is not there, then its not my book. I wuoul want to ensure their well bing and so i would no jump to conclusion.
student-406
I am worried about Robert's future at the school and how he may be feeling stressed during this time, due to the high stakes of the exam. I am also worried about the implications of Sarah releasing the questions before the exam, this would hinder the integrigity of the exam and the fairness of it, if some students look at the questions before hand and others don't. If the exam is canceled this would negatively impact those that haven been preparing for it. I would also be worried about the consequences that Sarah would face as a result of behaving unethically. I want to talk to robert to understand why he is feeling worried about the exam so that I can find the best way to support him. I want to talk to sarah to better understand her plans, and if she is in fact planning on behaving unethically, to talk about the implications of those actions to try and prevent her from following through.
student-354
Oui, puisque je sais que je n'ai pas triché de façon intentionnel. J'irai voir le professeur pour lui dire ce qui c'est réellement passé. Je reconnaitrais mon erreur de ne pas avoir enlevé les notes de cet endroit. Je préciserais que je ne les est pas utilisé et que cela était un accident.
student-511
I would try to talk to Jame's parents about how serious the situation is and what the consequences are of they refuse treatment/the transfusion. As Jame's parents, they have a say in his treatment; however, in this situation, I need to keep James best interest in mind as he is my patient. If the blood transfusion is the only way to treat him or give him a fighting chance, and after talking to the parents they do not change their mind, then I am going to have to treat him anyways. I would talk to a hospital administrator or ask for a court order to provide James with the care I am obliged to provide as his physician.
student-12
I was the Year representative of the student council of the pharmacology department. I worked closely with other members of the council like the VPs and President who often made the major decisions or would delegate work.
student-418
If a government prohibited a practice that was a religious belief, I believe this could be considered religious discrimination. The government may have a reason for outlawing circumcision relating to new research that has been performed that shows there are significant health problems associated with the practice, and therefore this would be a reason they are outlawing the practice, but if there is no medical reason then it could be considered religious discrimination against me
student-97
I would talk more to my friend and see how she feels about the situation, and see if she'd feel comfortable talking to the people further about it and what exactly she would like in this situation (for the video to be deleted or not, etc.). If this is not something she is comfortable with, I would ask her if she would be comfortable if I spoke to them. If this was okay with my friend, I would approach the stranger in a non-confrontational video and try to know more about why she took that video and where it might be posted. I'd try to explain to her that some people might not be comfortable with their face being in someone's else's video and that it might be best to ensure that faces aren't showing. I'd try to follow through on whatever was previously agreed on with my friend.
student-447
they should not treat the person in a different manner than the other patients. Yes, he is an amaazing person for donating and he should be congratulated for his donation which will help the hospital buy new equiptment and save lives. But as a patient, he does not have nay greater rights than the other people needing healthcare attention as well. To treat him differently would be unfair and it could bias how the hospital is runnign and how the employees operate, which could leave some people to not get the resources they need desperatly
student-449
I would try to understand how my boss feels about me. I would always be respectful and try to plead my case. I would recommend him to try watching the camera to see who could have possibly stolen the money. I would show to the boss that I am a good worker with amazing ethics. Doing all my work and going beyond. I would work hard and do all my tasks. Everything on time. Shows that I really care about working and for said business.
student-536
Although as a physician, I have a duty to upload the privacy of all my patients. Being a physician in a prison has other responsibilities as well like ensuring the safety of the other inmates. I would speak with the inmate in a private and non-confrontation manner and inform him that this is not allowed. I would encourage him to report the drugs and give them to the police guards. If he agrees, I will not report this. If he does not agree, I will have to report the drug use because this is against the prison policy and it can be harmful to this patient and the other inmates.
student-172
Given the situation, I would first verify the feelings of the patients towards the game. I would likely ask each resident individually privately in an empathetic tone open ended questions. I would probably ask what their feelings are towards this game, it there another activity that they may have a preference for. In this situation I would like to promote the autonomy of the patients and allow them to make their own decisions rather than misleading them into enjoying this game. I would also express that I am open to lead any alternative game that they might like to play and that I am here for them.
student-237
No. I belive that instilling equity into a child's life is important. I would educate my child on the I'm[oratcne of realizing differences in financial status, social status and work status, however, deep inside we are all individuals and we all feel the same emotions and similar interests in life. If my 'poor' child had the same interests as the 'rich' one and enjoyed spending time with him for who he is and not what he owns, i would be a very proud parent.
student-192
A chemistry textbook isn't unique to one student. A lot of students use them so it could very well be likely it is just another student with a chemistry textbook and that I have lost mine somewhere else. I would try to retrace my steps to find the textbook and try to borrow one from the library instead while I try to look for mine.
student-457
Yes, this is a violation of privacy, and especially if they later post/share the photos, as the people that might appear in their photos wont have consent to be revealed on social media. Also, concentration camps are a sensitive subject and I think they should take the tour with a more serious mindset. I would tell them that if they want to take pictures, to take it somewhere else and not during this tour.
student-650
I was at a fairly new job and one of my managers got demoted without warning. The situation, we discovered, was because an ex-employee had complained about this manager and our general manager did not take the correct disciplinary action with the manager who ended up getting demoted. I wanted to speak up about how my manager had not done anything wrong in my experience being trained by her, and that my testimony was opposite to the complaint that got her demoted.
student-316
There could be many reasons behind the prevailing skepticism. For one, it could be a lack of knowledge or belief in the science behind mindfulness and its effectiveness. It could also be perhaps its simplicity; when connected with the giant of stress one might think \"how can something so simple as mindfulness help me get through this?\"
student-594
From my expereince, I realised that teamwork may fail when communication is not optimal and not enough collaboration within the team takes place. I believe it is important that each member of the team knows its role and listens to each others concerns to help each other out and work together.
student-624
while in undergrad I was contesting my mark with a teaching assistant who had the power of deciding my grades. I ended up getting extremely frustrated trying to explain my point and got visibly angry. this did not bode to well i had to ask to just leave as I felt i may explode and say things I shouldnt. while my mark was not changed I was happy I left witjhout a worse one or allowing myself to succomb to rage
student-644
I would try my level best to wait as much as I could for the station to clear up I would also ask around to see if there is anything else I can do, or maybe take another way to my exam I could also uber to my exam if I had to, because if i get ticketed that would cost me more, and it;s illegal
student-666
I think that parking prices should be lowered, because in emergency situations it is important that the family/friends/caregivers of the sick patient is able to visit them to feel more assured, as I am sure they are extremely stressed and worried sick. Furthermore, it will also offer emotinal support for the patient which is critical to helping them feel better and be in a better mindset to recover. Sometimes, emergencies will go wrong and the patient may not survive. If the family could not visit the patient in hospital before the patient passes away due to high parking costs, that is extremely distressing and disheartening.
student-160
I think I will try to say something to my coworkers. Though, I realize that this can be a very uncomfortable interaction, I think that it is best to be open and honest. I do not want to be in a work environment where my coworkers are hostile and are constantly making people uncomfortable. However, I will try to have a conversation with them in a different environment. If we are at a restaurant, the coworkers may be drunk which may cause them to say things they do not mean. I think I will wait for the next day to talk to them and have an open conversation about my concerns. I will do this in a non judgemental way. Just because of a few statements, I will not assume that my coworkers are bad people and give them the benefit of the doubt.
student-106
id carefully weigh in my optoins, even though there arent much. i'd try to find a high point where i may see more, or i'd listen for sounds and follow. I can also carefully walk in one direction and get to the other side.
student-631
This is a difficult situation, as the patient in question is in a life-or-death situation, and his parents do not want to make a decision that would cost him his life. I understand that the parents have a devout belief that he should not receive the blood transfusion, but on the other hand, James in a young kid that has a whole life ahead of him, and could be saved if he had the blood transfusion. I would sit the parents down in a private and nonjudgmental manner, and try to discuss the consequences of not giving the blood transfusion to him. If the parents still refuse, I would have no choice but to go through with the blood transfusion, as I believe it would be in the best interest of James and his parents. It is entirely possible that his parents do not understand the gravity of the situation, so I would make sure to brief them and have a discussion with them after the operation has been completed.
student-49
My main concern is the wellbeing of my mother and of my team, along with their success at championships. I would first gather information on the options I have - am I able to get a friend to drive me to the basketball game and funeral to attend both, can I book a train or bus or Uber. I would then openly communicate with my mother about the funeral being on the same day as the game, and ask her if she needed my support. I would look to see if it was okay if I attended both if possible, but if it was not, I would be by her side during this tough time. I would communicate with my team that I need to leave because of family and that an assistant will be there to support them, and let them know I believe in them.
student-238
This is hard because it is a procedure with a high number of risks but also medical decisions should be up to you and the government should not intervene. I ultimately think this would not technically be religious discrimination against me because it is applied to all people and is supported by empirical evidence that the procedure is dangerous. Before this kind of policy is put in place however it should be ensured that there is not religious biases in the policy makers that would cause them to move to pass this without considering the entirety of the evidence and the disadvantage that it places on people with differing religious beliefs.
student-66
A close friend of mine asked if I had some textbook recomendations regarding a class I previously took. I gave them a list and said I still had some so don't bother getting them, I promise I'll bring them. My plans ended up getting suddenly changed because of a family emergency and I came back home early, but in the process forgot to bring the textbooks. I told them about it, and they understood the reason, and I offered to buy them the books or find somewhere they could pick it up the same day if they wanted to.
student-188
While letting her board isn't fair to all the other passengers who paid for their tickets, if the lady truly is running late for her medical appointment, it would be best to show understanding and kindness in a stressful situation. I think he should let her on (or maybe pay for her ticket himself) but remind her of the policy that she should abide to.
student-630
During the Covid-19 pandemic, my family and I weekly provided sandwiches to a homeless shelter to provide a meal to those who are less fortunate. The sandwiches would contain typically turkey and cheese and the next morning the mother would bring them to the shelter. In addition to such during the winter time we collected bed sheets from people in the local neighbourhood to provide the shelter with proper bedding for the homeless during the winter season.
student-170
I think whether or not I would say something to those teenagers depends on the intensity of the situation. Because I was simply just walking by and I could have something very important to do. For example, I may have a very important appointment and in some cases these teenagers can be very aggressive. And it may not be the best idea to just say something immediately or out of my mind if I feel that I'm not prepared for this confrontation. If in some cases I find them are capable to accept other people's opinions or if the case allows me to confront them, I might just say something like, it seems like you guys are surrounding stray cats. Is there anything I can help you with?
student-22
I would approach Amy privately and communicate my mistake to her. I would tell her that I really do appreciate the work she does for our company, state the things that she did well, and apologize deeply (telling her that it was an honest mistake).
student-567
In this case the intervation of a proffesion is necessary as the wellbieng of the animal and the house owned is hte most importat. THat being the case it has to be taken into account that the economical conditions of the home ownes could be affected by the predense of this animals. If the animals were there often I would propse to create a fund that would help the house owners for a low price. If it is not frequent at all getting a proffesional form afar would be necessary. Either way it is always important to take care of the animals and the people and a price should not be in the way of someones wellbeing.
student-83
Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a way to fix this. As a student, we are given ample opportunity to get rid of any aids before an exam begins and are often told several times to place any non-transparent items such as water bottles and pouches on the floor. From the perspective of the professor, there is no way of telling which students are cheating and which ones just made a mistake, as in my case. Regardless, I would try to explain my situation to the professor via a private meeting while also acknowledging that I do not expect them to revert my fail.
student-191
If the teens didn't know they were on private property, I would give them a warning and let them know it can't happen again. If the teens knew they were on private property or didnt care, then I would fine them the necesary amount.
student-698
No. there are different leadership styles thta exist. Depending on the context, some styles would be more effective than others. It is improtant for students entering a professional grduate program to have a leadership style that they have been most comfortable with as it is what makes them their authentic selves. However, the schools can introduce new styles that can help their students become more rounded leaders giving students more tools to work with when they are in a group or as an individual.
student-131
Michelle is going through a rough time, and she has a very real motivator to try to win this competition unethically. However, her actions are still wrong. I would initially approach Michelle and tell her how her actions are wrong. This is a national competition and taking these drugs not only puts other who have been naturally training at a disadvantage, but they also risk Michelle's own health. I would ask Michelle to withdraw from the competition or to stop taking the drugs well ahead of time before the competition. I will tell her that if she does not do this and participate fairly, I will report her. I would suggest other competitions and ways she could make the money to help her mother. If she does not step up on her own, I would report her.
student-259
I would first make sure my friend feels safe. I woudl try to take them away from the crowd and then ask them how they are feeling. I would then ask her if the person video taping her made her feel uncomfrtable. If she says yes i would ask her what she would like to do about it. If she does not want to do anything I would offer to give her a ride home or to stand with her away from the crowd and continue with our day. if she wants the person to delete the photos, then if it is safe, i would apparoach the indidudal. I would let them knwo the situation and then ask them to either edit the part where my friend is in it or delete the video. If they do not accept I woudl thank them and approach lcoal authorities as I do not want to put myself or my friend in danger
student-199
I was working at the vaccination center and someone was feeling ill. As a medical professionnal, my job is to take care of our patients. I called for help and made sure to stabilize the patient. I told the family baout the situation and told them the next steps. When the patient was feeling better I made sure to give him advise for next time such as eating a full meal and hydrating yourself before getting the next shot.
student-657
While I would be feeling stressed and want to park on the street to get to the exam on time, I would not park there illegally. There could be a reason it is illegal and I would not want to block traffic or break the law to get to my final exam. I would look for other possible parking spots near the subway station. I would try to park in a parking lot downtown that I could potentially pay for, or ask a store with designated parking if I could park in their spot after explaining my situation, and offer some compensation for their troubles since it might take away from some business. If there are no other options I would let my instructor know I will be late to the exam due to my transportation situation and ask if I could write the exam if I get there late, or possibly write it on another day.
student-16
One likely reason may be that the public does not see these people in action - they work behind the scenes making sure everything is safe and running smoothly. On the other hand, healthcare workers are individuals people see often for personal care.
student-296
This indeed is a challenging situation for John. First of all, john should consult the city law and make sure if the law is strict. If it offers some levy, then john can let the woman board the bus. However, if the law is strict and doesnt allow any exceptions in medical circumstances, then I think John should follow the law. He should apologize to the lady and explain her the whole situation. He can inform of next bus timings so she can put her purse in the meantime. Similary, informing her of taxi schedule, if avaliable, will also be beneficial. After John finishes work, he should reach out to his manager or the city hall, informing of this situation and starting a discussion about having exceptions for medical emergenies.
student-193
As a high schoool student myself, it is apparent that I would get shocked. However, handling the situation calmly, I will first of all approach the student. What is seen by your eyes is often not the case. Just based on my sight of seeing him smoke marijuana, I will not directly jump into a conclusion of reporting him. He could be using it for a medical reason perhaps. After approaching him, I will calmly ask him if he knows that is marijuana and that it is not proper for him to smoke it. Only after getting more information from him, I will report him to the supervisor so that such cases don't happen in the future. However, I will accompany him to the supervisor if he is willing to tell the teacher himself.
student-562
I was late for a friends birthday that I was planning because i was busy making food for the dinner after golfing. Because of this, I missed the entire golf game and was sightly late bringing food for the dinner. I had promised i would be there but i was not there for the whole event.
student-407
by using performance enhancing drugs, michelle is acting unethically and has an unfair advantage compared to those who are actually training hard for the race I understand that Michele is going through a difficult time and the money would really help her and her mother, and that the stress of the situation may be affecting her judgement however this sets a dangerous standard that it is okay to cheat and lie if it can somehow be justified by the goal I would explain this to Michelle and encourage her to either admit to her actions or withdraw from the race if she still wants to run the marathon, I would encourage her not to take the money if she refuses to do so, I would feel obligated to report her so that the race is fair for other runners, who may also need the money for significant reasons
student-245
Mes suspicions ne sont pas fondées, je voudrais accorder à Hazel le bénéfice du doute. Ce faisant, elle me fait déjà plus confiance. Je l'encouragerais à etre honnete avec moi, je serais rassurant et je lui dirais quelle est entre de bonnes mains. Si elle me confie quelle le fait pour sen sortir de son examen, je voudrais savoir pourquoi. je ne la ferais pas sentir coupable, je me mettras a sa place et je validerais ses émotions, japaiserais ses inquiétudes. je mexcuserais sincère,ent mais je lui dirais que je ne peux lui faire la note. si par contre, elle ne me le confie pas, je ferias plus de tests et je voudrais sa collaboration afin de trouver la cause de son problème.
student-87
The first thing I would feel is sympathy for the homeless individual, while I understand that the manager may have had previous eperience and reasons for kicking this customer out, I would feel concern if they are innocent and are being treated unfairly. Therefore, my concerns at the moment is making sure that this homeless individual is being treated justly, gaining more information about the situation, and my professional obligation to adhere to my supervisor's wishes and a consideration of their perspective.
student-147
I would not immediately speak up but ask lucas to meet me after the meeting and talk about his reasoning behind this action. I would approach him non-judgementally and non-confrontationally about why he took my idea and presented as his own. depending on his answer and him being aware of how wrong his action was, I would suggest him to tell the manager about his mistake. If he does not agree, i would tell him that his action was unethical and I would talk with the manager about his actions.
student-469
While Richard should care about Jessica's wellbeing and want her to succeed, although telling her about the website may be beneficial in the short term, it will not teach her the chemistry skills she needs in the future. For that reason it is better if Richard doesn't tell Jessica about the database, but rather either try to help her understand the concepts himself or try to refer her to other resources to help with her success. That way, Richard is still helping Jessica, while also ensuring the testing is fair and that Jessica is gaining the skills learned in the class.
student-261
some people might think that it can be a waste of time just sitting instead of doing somework. without the knowledge of what benefits it may have or even tryong it out one may not know.
student-548
James may have observed that the players that perform worse have been affecting their game scores. Perhaps the team has been losing for a while and the coach is getting frustrated with the results. It could be that the next games are higher stakes and that James is very focused on winning.
student-176
First of all I would have a private and non judgmental conversation to learn more about their story. If the store can manage the finances, then I would empathise with the customer and accept the refund. If the store is more strict on its return policy, then I would communicate with the customer if they used a credit card that can be tracked on our system, or find the security footage to validate that he purchased the guitar here. I would try to handle the situation calmly and find a solution.
student-339
This is a tough situation because I would not want to jeopardize my friendship with Michelle and her plans to help her mother. On the other hand, her use of performance-enhancing drugs is not ethical and fair to the other participants. I would first approach Michelle to discuss the situation privately and share my concerns with her. I would help her find some alternative solutions to help her mother such as grants or help offered by organizations. If she would not listen or be open to the idea, I would share my concerns and tell her I might report her.
student-515
Kevin should consider what ways he can support the employee and how to best approach in a non-confrontational manner. If this is something the employee is doing out of necessity maybe a conversation about whether their pay can be increased, or the number of hours they work can be increased to let them earn the money they need to pay would help. Also, making sure the employee understands what they did was wrong.
student-472
Cheryl should be concered with the wellbeinfg if her patent and the stress it well cause on her firned if she was going to message her about his cancer. It is always important to first gather more information before reaching a conclusion. In this case, it'd be best if she talks to the grandfather and asks him if he wants his family members to know or not since it is his right. If he doesn't want them to know, then it is best that Cheryl doesn't message her friend breach his rights. IF he does, then it would be fine if she messaged her and tol her the bad news and helped both of them with this istuaion.
student-397
This scenario requires balancing ethics with professionalism. It is unclear the nature of my relationship to my co-worker, if this has happened before, and the overall team dynamic. On one hand, it is unethical to claim someone else's ideas as your own and receive praise for it; speaking up would award praise and credit the right person. On the other hand, it may be viewed as unprofessional to speak up and interrupt the meeting with this issue. I would try to handle this professionally while making it clear that I developed the idea, for example by politely asking Luca questions about the idea that he would not be able to answer, and I could step in to suggest things. I would also have an open discussion with Luca after the meeting about why he took my idea and how we can move forward as team members.
student-34
the benefits of volunteering are vat. It is good for your own mental health as when volunteering with others it allows you to socialize, and feel good about doing a good deed. It is also really rewarding to help out others. You will have a better CV as well with volunteering hours. It also allows you to be more compassionate as you are taking the time to help others
student-512
Today I'm asked a question - in my clerkship, I coincidentally am placed with my best friend. My best friend is continuing to share stories about their patients, calling them by their name and sharing details about their condition as well as their behavior. I'm asked what ethical issues I can foresee arising from this situation.
I think right off the bat, the first thing that came to my mind was patient confidentiality. As a physician, you have a responsibility to keep patient information confidential, especially with the public.
Another issue I can foresee happening is creating bias in myself. Because we are in the same clerkship and ward, I can foresee myself caring for some of these same patients. Knowing their name, condition, and behavior from my friend's stories might influence my own perceptions and biases before ever interacting with them myself and being able to form my own opinions with an open perspective.
The last issue is jeopardizing trust and the workplace environment. If anyone were to find out, this could jeopardize trust not only between my friend and their patient, but also among colleagues and staff. Conversations can be misconstrued as gossip or rumors which can really affect workplace morale. As we're just starting out, we want to make good impressions and really practice those ethical standards we preach. So I can foresee that causing mistrust.
However, I think it's important to communicate with staff and have opportunities to debrief and discuss cases, whether with friends and family. But there are ways to do that while respecting confidentiality.
In my experience on a suicide hotline, those conversations were incredibly emotional and taxing. Without being able to discuss those feelings with other volunteers, it would have been very challenging to continue. So I think it's understandable to have these conversations and debrief cases with colleagues, but to do so without giving specific patient names or conditions so it remains confidential.
I would encourage my friend to reframe the conversation to how they were feeling or if they wanted general medical advice rather than specifics about the patient. As an aspiring physician, collaboration is important to get perspectives on challenging cases, debrief, and take care of our mental health.
Diverse perspectives can help patient care too. Perhaps my friend was misreading a situation and I could give a better outlook for them to go back with empathy and provide better care. So collaboration is essential but confidential.
student-808
The core issue here is that if we don't intervene, the kids could continue assaulting this woman, which is highly unethical and dangerous. However, we need more information to properly address the situation.
Some key questions: How often do these girls come by? Why are they hitting her - is the woman provoking them in some way? Is she potentially doing something illegal herself? There are a lot of unknowns to investigate first.
I would approach the woman privately in a non-confrontational manner and ask for her perspective on the situation. If she reveals she is doing something illegal, I would likely have to report both parties to the proper authorities. However, if she is innocent, then we can look into reporting the assault by the girls to the police or appropriate powers, so official action can be taken.
By thoughtfully intervening, we may be able to stop the assaults and protect the woman, which is an important responsibility as a bystander observing violence. But gathering more details first, rather than making assumptions, allows us to respond in the most fair, ethical manner for all involved. The goal is stopping harm while avoiding escalating the conflict further.
student-721
This is a difficult situation that requires considering multiple perspectives - that of the physician dating their patient, the patient themselves, and my own role and duty in this situation. As the patient's physician, they likely see them as a trustworthy source of care. However, physician-patient relationships have an inherent power imbalance, as physicians hold greater medical knowledge, which can unduly influence patients' decisions. This could lead to the physician not prioritizing evidence-based care with this particular patient.
As this represents a conflict of interest, it raises ethical concerns regarding patient care at the clinic. Having recognized this issue, I have a duty to address it professionally and calmly, not making any rash judgments. I should initiate a discussion with the physician to outline my observations non-accusatorily. Framing this as a legal and risk mitigation issue may make it easier to convey. Emphasizing our shared commitment to patients' wellbeing is paramount. An alternative could be transferring the patient's care to me, allowing continuity while eliminating the conflict of interest. With trust between us, they may agree this is best. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
student-827
The most important thing is to understand my cousin's level of maturity. For a very young child, I would keep the explanation simple and clear. But for an older cousin who could grasp a more meaningful discussion, I would have a deeper conversation about the benefits of volunteering.
First, I would ask about his current opinions to see his existing knowledge. I would challenge him with questions about how volunteering has helped people he knows, to expand his understanding of its community impact. I could use relevant current events or local examples to illustrate how volunteers create positive change.
I would tie this to my cousin's own passions. If he loves animals, I may talk about our local humane society that relies on volunteers to provide services. I would help him identify causes he cares about so he can find fulfilling volunteer opportunities, rather than forcing unrelated experiences. Volunteering is most rewarding when you follow your passions.
Additionally, I would share my own volunteering experiences and the profound impact they've had on me. Hopefully through thoughtful discussion tailored to his maturity level, I could open his mind to the personal benefits volunteering can provide, just as it has for me and others I know. My goal is to encourage him by educating in a way he can understand.
student-793
Physicians are very important in their role of educating the general public about topics in healthcare. This was very evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a lot of misinformation being spread and many people were misinformed about the virus, vaccines, and healthcare in general. There is so much misinformation on the Internet that spreads quickly. I believe physicians are a vital resource and tool for educating the general public about healthcare topics. This is especially true when physicians can make evidence-based claims using research, either their own or others'.
Physicians are specifically trained in healthcare, learning anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and other fundamental medical sciences. I think it's a very important role for physicians to use their position and knowledge to educate the general public. If some people don't believe or understand them, it's important to provide information in words a general audience can understand, whether they have medical education or not. Physicians should explain details and provide evidence about healthcare topics using language everyone can grasp.
Sometimes, unfortunately, people have preconceptions and don't believe what physicians say. As a physician, it's important to aim to give a lot of information to provide that healthcare resource to people. It's up to them whether they accept and understand that information. Even with strong evidence, some may not want to believe the same thing. That's okay. I think a physician's role stops there - you can give education, guidance and resources but never force someone to believe as you do. Overall, I believe educating the general public about healthcare topics is a vital role for physicians.
student-715
Health inequalities refer to unequal access to healthcare services, education, and resources. In Canada, examples include lack of access to healthier foods for lower socioeconomic groups, reduced medical services in rural areas compared to urban centers, and insufficient culturally competent care for our diverse population. Addressing these requires engaging key stakeholders and utilizing both downstream and upstream solutions.
For rural communities, downstream approaches could include community programs to empower healthy lifestyles through proper sleep, mental health support, social connection, physical activity, and self-care. Allocating more funding to develop rural healthcare facilities and services, in consultation with local providers and residents about specific needs, is critical. Upstream policy solutions should involve rural stakeholders in developing policies tailored to rural health, rather than the current focus on urban settings.
For cultural competence, actively fostering diversity among healthcare practitioners is essential so they can understand and address the values and beliefs of diverse patients with sensitivity. Overall, resolving health inequalities requires multifaceted strategies engaging affected groups, addressing root causes, and expanding access through both systemic and local solutions. With collaboration, we can work to ensure all Canadians, regardless of socioeconomic status, geography, or background, have the opportunity to achieve their best health. Please let me know if you would like me to expand on any part of this response.
student-829
One time I disappointed my parents was when they asked me to pick up my sister from soccer practice. Both my parents were at work and had entrusted me with this responsibility. However, instead of diligently following through, I got distracted by other less urgent priorities like schoolwork and texting friends. As a result, my sister was left waiting alone at the field with no ride. My parents were very let down that I did not fulfill my duty responsibly.
In hindsight, I should have prioritized better. The other tasks could have waited, but getting my sister on time was truly important. I learned an important lesson about setting the right priorities and fulfilling my obligations, especially when relying on me. Moving forward, I aim to match my actions to what matters most rather than getting distracted. I continue to feel regretful about that incident, but it helped reinforce values of responsibility and diligence that guide me today.
student-756
Hi Jason, it's good to see you today. I'm glad we could meet up. I was wondering how you've been the last few days since I haven't heard from you - I was concerned. How are the medical school applications going? Is everything okay generally? Have you been eating and sleeping alright? It was surprising when you didn't come to class since you're usually so diligent. I'm sure there's a logical reason, but as your friend I want to make sure you're doing well. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help or if you need someone to talk to. I'm here for you and just want to make sure you're taking care of yourself. Let me know if you need anything at all.
student-755
Before I begin, I just want to thank you for taking the time to listen to why I want to be a doctor. I'm a mature applicant now, and my decision to become a doctor was really something that I wanted to take my time with to make sure it was the right thing for me and explore all my options as a student.
I liked the idea of medicine, exploring topics in health and science, but it wasn't until my professional work, education, and volunteer work that I've done as a working professional that really brought me back to medicine and made me realize that it was what I wanted to do with my life.
To touch on those experiences as a working professional - right now, I'm a clinical trial monitor with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group at Queen's University. In this role, I have the opportunity to collaborate with research teams across the country on the clinical research that we're doing that is really improving care options available for patients.
It's tremendously gratifying to be able to follow a patient's treatment story indirectly as a clinical trial monitor and get to know the best practices that are taking place at each of our clinical research sites. One of the trials that I'm tremendously proud to have worked on was one that improved survival and progression status in breast cancer patients. This was a huge landmark trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and has since been adopted as a treatment option for high risk breast cancer patients.
I'm tremendously proud to have worked on it and I want to be able to translate experiences like that into a clinical care setting. I want to be able to find ways to improve patient care.
One of the things that came to my mind is something that I learned in my part-time course on social determinants of health. I'm also a part-time student - I've taken courses in anatomy and social determinants of health. In the context of my work and existing education, I've really been able to integrate all of these things together into a more comprehensive image of what I think health and wellbeing actually are and ways to address them as a physician.
I'm really excited at the prospect of a holistic care model - not only looking at clinical care and interventions, pharmacological and non-pharmacological, but also interventions that address the social determinants of health, like the underlying causes for why people experience the things they do.
I think the most important thing, the experience that made me say "this is what I want to do", was working at the COVID-19 vaccination clinics. I think we'll all recall the uncertainty and anxiety people had about COVID-19 and how it was shaping the world. I wanted to get involved managing it as soon as I could, whether with tracking or vaccines.
Specifically working in those vaccine clinics as part of that clinical care team was a really gratifying experience. One that I'm tremendously proud to have been involved in something that I'll be able to speak to for the rest of my life. Being told that I'm giving people their lives back by working at these clinics is something that I want to be able to experience every day as a doctor. As soon as I had that opportunity, that was it for me. I knew this is what I want to do.
I think the person-to-person interaction is something that I've always loved. The integration of sociological and health factors that I've learned about from my work and school experiences have really brought me to this point where I'm ready to become a doctor, where I know that I want to be a doctor.
student-807
My understanding of activism is grassroots movements driven by communities to advocate for policies and programs that positively impact people's lives. I believe physicians and medical students have a role in this duty. As community leaders directly affecting health, doctors can influence public health so patients are cared for beyond the clinic.
I understand the challenges. With the demands of staying current on medicine, taking on activism requires great commitment and emotional investment. However, much health progress has resulted directly or indirectly from activism - like reproductive justice advocacy. This promotes not just healthy pregnancies or safe child rearing, but reproductive choice including contraceptive and healthcare access.
One way medical students and doctors can engage in activism is advocating for increased access to contraceptives and reproductive healthcare. They can also start public health initiatives to improve sex education, so teenagers gain better understanding of safe sex, changes to their bodies, and reproductive health. Physicians can play a vital role in launching programs to ensure patients get care and knowledge to advocate for themselves. While difficult, activism allows doctors to create positive change beyond treating individuals.
student-738
In this complex situation, I would aim to uphold academic integrity while remaining mindful of my friend's perspective. Since the semester has ended and grades finalized, I would have a private conversation to educate them on why their behavior was problematic and posed an unfair advantage. If they recognize the issue, I would hope we could approach the professor to disclose the misconduct and face the consequences, hopefully preventing future occurrences. I would also consult other friends to gain additional perspectives on addressing this ethically. My priorities are being transparent regarding the inappropriate actions while also guiding my friend with compassion to take responsibility. This maintains academic honesty while supporting their moral development. Through open dialogue and accountability, we can transform this lapse in judgement into a learning experience for growth.
student-745
This scenario, where Dr. Cheung is recommending homeopathic medicines to his patients despite the lack of scientific evidence and him not fully believing it either, calls up a number of fascinating ethical dilemmas. Initially, I thought that the doctor’s behavior was considered ethically wrong since he himself didn’t believe in homeopathic medicine due to the scant evidence, yet was recommending it to patients.
However, if he communicated clearly about the lack of scientific evidence and how he does not believe in it to the patients, and the patients are aware of it, then it is not ethically wrong. Ultimately, the patients have the rights to be aware of the treatment plans, including the benefits and risks involved, before making informed decisions. So, if the patients are still willing to consent to the homeopathic approach, despite him explaining the risks involved, then going in accordance with respecting patients’ autonomy, this would not be an ethical issue.
On the contrary, it becomes an ethical issue when the doctor withholds detailed explanations and information about the approach from his patients. Doing so, he violates patients’ autonomy and isn’t acting in their best interests. Using the psychological effect of placebo to create a false sense of reassurance is considered deceiving and misleading. This jeopardizes patients' trust for this doctor or even the entire medical system since patients may find out that the prescribed drug has no effect in improving their conditions.
Hence, by failing to inform clearly about the treatment, he is preventing his patients from making an informed decision about their healthcare. However, this situation leaves out some details that are important before arriving at a final conclusion:
[1] Is he doing business with or promoting homeopathic medicines because his name is on the meds?
[2] Does he have a financial stake in these drugs?
[3] Is he qualified to practice complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to offer this treatment to patients?
[4] Did he explore other alternatives within conventional medicine before recommending this approach?
If he is doing business or has a commercial interest, it might be unethical for him to be recommending such treatment given that his clinical judgement could be clouded based on his business interest, suggesting a conflict of interest. Moreover, there is a likelihood that patients are easily persuaded as to the “reassurance” of the treatment through trust of an SMC-registered doctor.
Hence, it is crucial to keep in mind the patient's autonomy and right to all information of potentially available treatments. In conclusion, it would be unethical for him to be recommending an approach that lacks scientific evidence. It is also equally unethical for him to create a false sense of reassurance for his patients just because he believes that homeopathic medicines do no harm.
I would recommend that he stays transparent and be honest with his patients by openly discussing the lack of evidence and explaining the potential implications. Doing so, he maintains the trust and respect of his patients which will not result in misleading “reassurance”.
student-801
This complex scenario requires a sensitive and compassionate approach. I would disclose the information to both the mother and father together in a private, comfortable setting while being fully transparent, as this is something they deserve to know. However, I would deliver the distressing news with great caution and care given the serious implications for the family. I also believe the biological father should be informed so that future pregnancies are aware of potential risks. Disclosing misleading paternity results inevitably has consequences. My role is to navigate this difficult revelation empathetically and honestly. By choosing the appropriate time and manner to inform all parties, I aim to provide clarity while attempting to minimize the disruption and anguish such news may cause this family. Though painful, they deserve to know the truth.
student-752
If I've been given responsibility to mediate a conflict between two people in the next room, I would first gather as much information as possible about the situation from both parties. I would make sure to listen closely to each side with compassion, empathy, and an aim to understand both perspectives.
I would then ask each party to communicate their ideal solution or outcome. My goal would be finding common ground where neither is harmed and both gain what's most important to them. While I know this isn't always possible, adequate communication and understanding could get us there.
As the mediator, I could facilitate this by providing a balanced perspective and allowing each side to fully voice their ideas without interruption, coming from a place of empathy. With this understanding approach, I believe some mutual understanding could be reached.
student-763
If a patient was interested in visiting an acupuncturist or chiropractor, I would first sit down with them to ask about the underlying issues causing them to seek these providers. It would begin by asking if they have a physical ailment or chronic pain. I would offer to run tests to determine the underlying cause of their pain and establish a beneficial, trusting relationship. We could do x-rays, medical tests, etc. to find the source of their pain and reason for wanting to visit an acupuncturist or chiropractor.
If the patient still wished to see one after tests, I would research these fields myself to learn the potential benefits and risks, side effects, or harm to the patient. After doing this research, I would share what I learned and see if any medical staff had advice on things to look out for with these providers, like laboratory red flags or potential side effects.
I would also discuss current therapies I'm providing and share my professional opinion that these medications can alleviate their pain or ailment. Additionally, I would ensure the patient knows I'm still there for them. I want to stress I do not want to overstep or lose their trust, and I respect their autonomy to visit these alternative providers. I would let them know if they have any questions or feel something is going wrong, they can still come to me for help. I would be happy to remain their physician and provide benefit if they feel I can. I would just ask them to be cautious and respect their choices.
student-825
In this airplane scenario, my first approach would be to politely communicate with the parent and see if they could possibly switch seats with their screaming baby. If that doesn't work, I would offer to change my own seat as an alternative solution.
This reminds me of a time during clinical experience when an elderly male patient was giving the receptionists a hard time about long wait times. Since the providers were very busy, I stepped out of my comfort zone as a volunteer with no patient experience and approached the man myself to try and calm the situation.
I engaged him in civil conversation, acknowledged his frustration, and asked some questions about his concerns. Though initially still upset, he soon relaxed and we were able to connect on a human level. By the time providers were available, he had completely calmed down and thanked me as he left.
Similarly here, though screaming babies can be grating, I would empathize with the stressed parent. If the noise became too much, I would politely communicate and try to find a mutually agreeable solution, whether that's them moving or me switching seats. The priority is addressing the issue compassionately through open communication and perspective taking.
student-787
If I haven't seen any problems right away, my instant reaction would be to take a second to reflect on why they feel this way. Are there any specific examples? Have I had these types of complaints before? If not, what potential situations in the past several days treating this patient could have created these issues? Were there times I was tired or had a lapse in judgment with my speech? I would really want to figure out what situations here could have led them to feeling this way, because I would strive for the best bedside manner and relationship with the patient and their family.
After reflecting, I would want to talk to my supervisor to find out the specific complaints - where is my bedside manner lacking? What conversations or aspects were not good and where can I improve? I'd want to know if the supervisor thinks it's appropriate for me to potentially have an open conversation with the patient and family to improve the situation.
At the end of the day, if they really feel I am not the right fit and there's nothing I can do, then it's about the patient's health and well-being. If they can't be persuaded to allow me to make changes, it may be best for me to step off the case because the patient's health comes first. However, hopefully they'd be willing to have a conversation with me about this. I'd love to not only improve the situation, but also improve myself for the future.
I'd love to have a one-on-one conversation to listen to their complaints, figure out which aspects of my bedside manner need changing, and work collaboratively to make a plan for improvements going forward. I am confident in my abilities and would hope to give the best treatment. I would welcome the opportunity for feedback so I can be mindful of the changes they want and take it into consideration.
If in the future it's just not a personality match after trying my best to make changes, I would have to move on and take it as a learning experience. I could have a conversation with my supervisor about whether these are ongoing issues for me, where I can improve, and if it was just a one-off personality clash. It's a good skill to be able to adapt, but if after trying to improve I'm still not able, I'll have to move on and continue improving for the future.
student-822
So my understanding of this question is that I'm being asked if it's ethical for a physician to be sexually involved with a patient who initiated or consented to the initial contact. On one hand, I understand that this is a private matter and their personal life shouldn't be scrutinized. However, on the other hand, I think that physicians are in positions of authority, and an intimate relationship can definitely affect patient care. So I think that as a physician, it is their responsibility to really separate their private and personal life from their professional duties. My stance on this would be that if a physician does become sexually involved with a patient, then out of concern for the patient and to maintain quality care, the physician should no longer be their primary caregiver if they want to continue the relationship. However, if they're no longer in a direct patient-physician role and it's no longer a professional relationship, then it could be ethical. As long as the physician is directly caring for the patient, an intimate relationship is not appropriate, because there is an inherent power dynamic that could reduce care quality and be unethical. In medicine, it's not outlandish to imagine situations where physicians need to evaluate how their personal matters and conflicts of interest can negatively impact their provision of quality care. It's really important in these situations for physicians to maintain professionalism, recognize when a personal relationship becomes a conflict of interest, and know when to refrain from actions that could impact their decision-making. Physicians need to be aware of when they should separate their personal and professional lives, or take steps to address any entanglement.
student-713
I'll get right into the prompt about whether physicians should be able to lie to or withhold truth from patients, even if it's for the patient's own good.
I recognize this can be a difficult situation, especially with difficult news where a physician may feel sharing information could trigger an undesired response in the patient. However, looking at different perspectives, the physician is involved in care delivery but the patient's perspective must also be considered.
If physicians aren't transparent and don't fully deliver information, especially if the patient wants to know, I think physicians have a duty to tell the truth. I don't think lying benefits patients. Transparency fosters trust between provider and patient, which is necessary for the patient to also be truthful.
If a physician lies or withholds truth, what's stopping a patient from withholding critical information affecting their care? It gives a sense of practicing paternalistic rather than patient-centered care, and not treating the patient as an equal person deserving respect.
Telling the truth fosters trust. It's difficult if not impossible for a physician to fully know how someone will react to news, so just because it's difficult doesn't mean it should be withheld.
There are diagnoses where hearing it may do more harm in the moment by causing panic. But the patient still has a right to know. If test results could be false positives, you can suggest more tests be done but still inform the patient. You cannot withhold just because you think it will do more harm than good.
Contingencies like mental illness are important - you still tell the truth but may alter how you deliver it through pacing information, softening delivery, etc. But the information itself, I believe patients have a right to know.
student-813
In this situation, I would carefully weigh the potential outcomes of a liver transplant for both patients. For the 64-year-old alcoholic, there is some uncertainty whether they would adhere to post-transplant treatments and lifestyle changes needed to maintain health. In contrast, the younger mother of three may have greater probability of benefit and compliance.
Age is a factor, as the mother has more expected years of life ahead. There are also consequences for her children if she does not survive. However, if I could speak to the alcoholic and feel confident they would commit to sobriety and medical care, I would likely select them for transplant. Adherence is the key factor.
I'd want to know the duration of alcoholism and any history of prior treatments failed due to non-compliance. If the alcoholic has repeatedly been non-adherent, I would select the mother to receive the liver. Her age and responsibility to her children tip the balance. But with demonstrated commitment to treatment from the alcoholic, I would support transplanting them over the slightly younger candidate. The decision rests significantly on my assessment of postoperative compliance to ensure success.
student-783
You know, even though I understand that everyone wants to go and that it's a really great opportunity for everyone, I simply do not have the money to let everybody go. And it is my responsibility to make sure that the trip is well planned and that requires money. However, it's also my responsibility to accommodate members of my team.
So I think first, the first thing I would do is speak with my two other colleagues, because I think we have to address the situation as a team, since we are a team, and I would ask them first what they would do in this situation and also explain what I would do. And we can just brainstorm and gather ideas together.
Then if we don't find any ideas, I would of course tell the other team members that we have a problem, and I would explain to them the problem, because if I were them, I would not like to be left out of the blue. So I would of course tell them what's going on and also take their input into consideration.
If we still don't have any ideas and no one suggested any ideas, then I would actually talk to the university and ask them if we could have another payment for our club so that we can all go, and I would explain to them the situation. I can also collaborate with the other clubs and other universities and ask them if they have other fundings and collaborate with them and ask them where they got their money from.
If that does not work, I could also find cheaper accommodations. Like if we have to travel, then I'll find cheaper hotels and cheaper transportation ways to go there.
If that still doesn't work, then I would have to sacrifice myself. But I don't think I'll be missing out on much because I would join on Zoom. I would ask the others to film everything and to post them and to call me and film everything. So that would be me along with the five other members who can go. We'd make sure to film everything that is essential.
If that still does not work, then I would only let three members go. But who would I choose? I would choose those who can do the most and can learn the most. So I would take the most motivated people, actually. And I created Google Forms, where I would ask questions about everybody's motivations, and I would only take the members who have actually shown interest into the club and who have participated a lot since I'd assume they're the ones who are the most invested and who are the most interested.
I would also take the people whose answers were well thought and that I saw they passed a lot of time on it. However, I would also make sure that this is only a one time thing, and I would make sure that for the other trips we're organized, that we have enough money.
And I think if we're to this point where I didn't have any money left, it means that I didn't organize everything well. So I would have to check on where I went wrong and have to fix the solution or the problem by myself and with my other teammates.
And yeah, lastly, I would just follow up and ask if everybody's okay with the solution. And if they aren't, well, I'll take their criticism into consideration and try to accommodate them on my best. So I just follow up with them.
student-800
So why do I want to be a doctor? Well, there are many reasons why I want to be a doctor, but I'm going to tell you a bit about my experiences in the past that really made me want to become a doctor and really motivated me.
Ever since I was born, I've had to help my father with his condition, which is multiple sclerosis, and it's always been pretty bad. I've always had to be there for him and to be empathetic towards his situation. It really helped me develop communication skills, but also empathy. Before I could even say something or say what made him uncomfortable, or if he needed to be repositioned in his bed, or if he needed a glass of water, I could just always read his thoughts and I could just feel what he was feeling and provide the necessary care. I could just see, for example, and notice things and I just knew that he needed something.
It also contributed to bettering my communication skills because I could just talk to him about how he's feeling and I've always had to reassure him and make him know that it's always going to get better and that he's not alone in this. So I've had to offer a lot of reassurance also. Well, it's part of my day to day life, so I know what it's like to take care of someone. I know what it's like to be in a bit of a medical environment and as I said, it's always been part of my life and so it does not stress me, it does not disturb me. It's actually something I love doing. I love being there for him and being able to just put a smile on his face in any way I can. If it's by giving him a glass of water, then I'm very happy to do so. As I said, I've been there for him and showed empathy and told him that I'm always there for him.
Also, when I was little, I had a huge accident with my right arm. After the surgery, I remember speaking with the doctors and they were laughing and they were really making me happy. They teased me a bit about the situation and it just put a smile on my face and it really made me happy and made me laugh. I just realized at that time that it's really who I wanted to be in life, that my goal in life was to just be able to put a smile on people's faces and just seeing people happy is what makes me happy. I felt comfortable, I felt not alone, I felt surrounded and I felt like I could trust them.
That's another point I want to mention. It's that I've always gained people's trust easily. So I'm someone that people can count on and I've always gained their trust and for me that's really important. I like being someone who's trustworthy and just so that I can be able to help them, to help them.
I also love interacting with other people, I love being social and I really learned a lot about myself and to interact with other people really makes me happy.
Also in a more academic aspect. Well, I've always liked the biology course and when I was little I always had this book. It was very interactive and it was about the human body and I remember falling asleep with it every day. I also have a very analytical brain and I love solving issues and problems and it's something that's fun to me but I also always like to understand what's happening before solving a problem but I usually always come to a solution.
I also have critical thinking which really helps me in situations and I think it's essential to be a doctor and to analyze things. I'm also very calm, I love reassuring people, I think it's really important to do so. I love offering a calm presence to people so that they feel safe and comfortable with me.
student-798
As part of this advocacy group, I believe everyone's opinions should be valued, so we must emphasize not routinely dismissing others' ideas. I would have a private, non-accusatory conversation with this student to understand their perspective on why they feel their ideas require more attention. While acknowledging their ideas may be great, I would explain the importance of collaborating towards our shared goal, as teamwork enables greater success. If they still choose to leave after this discussion where I had no ill intent and simply sought the group's betterment, I would reach out and reiterate that I only want what is best for the group. If there is still no understanding, unfortunately we may have to move forward without them. But hopefully the group is stronger overall by upholding respect for all members' contributions.
student-733
The issue of legalizing marijuana in the Canadian healthcare system is complex, with several perspectives to consider. Some potential pros include providing a regulated source to offset potentially contaminated black market marijuana, and easier access for patients who use it medicinally, like cancer patients for nausea relief. Cons could be increased accessibility leading to misuse if public education on safe use and effects is lacking. Dangers like impaired driving are a concern if marijuana use is not informed and responsible.
A regulated government source can ensure safety standards and avoid spread of illness from contaminated sources. At the same time, wider access must be accompanied by public education campaigns on potential side effects and safe, responsible use. Strict impaired driving laws should be upheld. If use is informed, overall costs to the healthcare system may be reduced compared to problems caused by dangerous substances like opioids. But appropriate regulation and education are key to maximize public health benefits and minimize harm. There are reasonable arguments on both sides, so thorough assessment of public health impacts is needed if considering legalization.
student-774
Once Brian explains his thoughts and feelings, we can develop a plan. I imagine he would be very upset and heartbroken. I would suggest Brian find support from teammates directly involved to see if they would join him in speaking with the coach. Together they could make the case for Brian to have at least some role they can both agree to.
After compiling evidence and support, they would approach the coach honesty. I would help Brian prepare what to say and be very supportive through this process. If the worst case scenario happens and the coach still refuses, I would encourage Brian, though deeply painful, to put this aside for now and refocus his efforts on the Paralympics.
Though heartbreaking, the Paralympics are also a globally recognized event to showcase his strengths and gain more popularity to further his career. I would urge Brian to continue working hard, try to move past this for now, and give his all at the Paralympics. This could provide opportunities for the Olympics in the future, while also inspiring others with disabilities with his strength and capability.
student-794
I can share an experience when I was working at a nursing home during the pandemic and facilitating visits between residents and their families. To give a bit more context, I started in the summer of 2020 working at this nursing home. At the time we had just started to open up visits between residents and their families, but all of the visits were outside and they needed to maintain physical distancing.
The schedule for the visits was really tightly packed because people hadn't seen their family members in a long time and so there wasn't a ton of time for each visit - I believe they had 30 minutes. Our schedule was pretty much always full because we only had so many spots so that everyone could maintain physical distancing.
It was important that I was bringing residents downstairs and outside to their visits on time so that they got the full amount of time with their family members. That was really important to me because it had been so long since they had seen their family and it's really good for their mental wellbeing. I wanted them to be able to have this time.
In an effort to ensure that I was on time for the schedule, I would go up early to their rooms and I made sure that I had enough time to bring them down. But the issue was I wasn't trained on any sort of lifts, so if a patient or a resident was in bed or needed to use the bathroom before going down for their visit, I did not have the training to do that and it would have been unsafe if I had attempted to do that.
So I had to go and ask a PSW or a nurse to help me get the resident ready to go outside in those cases. Now, this was difficult because sometimes the PSWs were pretty much always very busy. They had a lot of residents and needed to be doing showers or helping with feeding and so on. And so I felt really badly going and asking for help, but again, I could not do it on my own without jeopardizing the safety of the resident.
So I went and I would ask them and I had a positive relationship with the PSWs, so they didn't mind helping, but I could tell that they were very overwhelmed and I wanted to make the process a bit easier.
What I did was from then on, I would print off a schedule of the visits and bring that to the nurses and PSWs every morning. It would be posted in the nurse's room every morning so that they knew when each resident was going down to their visits and they could prepare when it was most convenient for them. They weren't in the middle of showering a resident when I was trying to find them to toilet another resident.
I also asked them for their feedback - was this working for them? It seemed to be working better, but I wanted to make sure that I was integrating feedback from them. They actually asked me, after their shift change in the afternoon, if I could come up and just give them a rundown of the afternoon visit schedule, which I was happy to do, and that let things run a lot smoother.
It also let me get all of the residents down safely to their visits and in a timely manner so they could have that time with their families. It built my relationship and a positive relationship with the PSWs and nurses because I think they understood that I respected their time and I could see that they were very busy. Although I needed their help, I think that they felt respected in the process.
I also made sure that I was helping them in return. I didn't want to just be taking and asking them for help. I wanted to ease their burden as well. So I would help them with feeding at meal times and with the snack cart. I would spend time with residents who took a bit more of their time attention wise and just help them out in those ways.
I think that's really important in a future career as a physician, because I'm not going to have all of the answers, depending on my specialty. There's going to be times where I'm going to need help from other physicians, from other specialties, and I'll need help from other members of the healthcare team in order to optimize patient outcomes.
I want to ensure that although I need help, I am not just taking from others and I'm also contributing to this healthcare team and communicating with them in order to come to the best solution for our patients.
student-802
Deciding to pursue medicine and become a doctor is a big decision and it requires a lot of effort and takes a lot of time. I have thought very carefully about why I want to be a doctor and I have three main reasons.
First, I want to be a lifelong learner. I chose to study at the University of Toronto for my undergraduate degree, particularly in neuroscience, because the field is so broad, there are so many different directions you can go with it. I was able to learn from some of the leading researchers in the field at the University of Toronto. Even after I finished my program requirements and could have just taken easier electives for the rest of my degree, I chose to pursue extra courses at the higher levels, like 400 and 300 level, because I'm really passionate about education.
I want to learn as much as I can, and I even took six courses a semester, which is more than usually considered full time, because I wanted to get the most out of the education offered by the University of Toronto and learn as much as I can while enrolled there. Being a doctor is one of the only careers where you get to be a student forever, and you also get to apply your knowledge every single day, which is not something that many other academics get to do. So this is one of the main reasons why I would like to be a doctor.
Second, I love forming relationships with people and maintaining them over a long period of time. Even just in the past year where I've been working and volunteering at the same hospital, I've been able to see the same patients every week for a year. It has been so rewarding and fulfilling to be able to see their progress and be able to contribute to their care every week. I think that this is a very unique opportunity.
While some other members of the healthcare team are able to form some sort of lifelong relationship with patients like therapists or maybe nurse practitioners, physicians get to do this the most and to the highest level of depth, and you really get to know your patients. I am a person who loves human connection, and I love being able to help people and see their progress as I help them. So being a doctor would allow me to do this every day.
Lastly, I'm really passionate about advocating for equal access to health care and equal quality of health care, regardless of one's socioeconomic, cultural or racial background. Currently, I do see some gaps in this. In Canada, even in the place where I volunteered, I found that many of the programs offered were Western-centric and didn't provide as much benefit to patients from Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
For example, I was once shadowing an occupational therapist who was teaching an elderly man with a TBI how to use the kitchen with a walker. Unfortunately, they didn't have the abrasive spices and ingredients that he would normally use at home. Instead, they had eggs, which he actually couldn't eat. So I used my knowledge of Asian culture because of my own background to try and figure out what kind of ingredients he uses in his household. We tried to simulate that with whatever we had, but obviously it wasn't an exact match, and it would have been more helpful to have a wider array of ingredients available.
Another example is when doing music therapy, they would often play songs more popular in America and Canada, but not other areas. So when I see Asian patients, I try to ask them what kind of music they're used to listening to, and encourage the music therapist to play music similar to that, so it's more culturally relevant.
So I think being a physician is the only profession where I could be a lifelong learner who advocates for people's health and forms lifelong relationships with patients. That is why I want to be a doctor.
student-805
This is an unfortunate scenario, and I'm sorry this is happening to this woman. The absolute first thing I would do is make sure she is physically okay without being invasive since I don't know her. I would visually assess if she has any wounds needing immediate care.
After ensuring her physical health is stable, I would speak with her to see if she is emotionally okay. Personally, I would not be alright with someone routinely hitting me. I would want to ensure she understands this is not okay and that she is in a sound mental state.
Slowly, I would steer the conversation towards problem-solving. The initial priority is confirming her physical and emotional well-being in this terrible situation. Once that baseline is established through compassionate dialogue, we could begin to address how to move forward.
student-765
The main reason I really want to become a physiotherapist started when I was young. I played a lot of sports and have always been interested in science. Playing sports, I've had the misfortune of many injuries. Starting around age 12, I've had to go to physio multiple times. I've been to many clinics as I got older, playing lacrosse at a high level and football. I've seen different physios because the teams have different affiliations. So I've had a lot of great experiences with physiotherapists.
With my interest in science and studying anatomy and research in high school and university, I've reflected on my experiences and found physiotherapy combines my interests. It allows me to work one-on-one with people at the intersection of anatomy, physiology, physical activity, health, wellness, movement, sports, injury recovery, and improving daily living. You incorporate knowledge, research, and new developments in collaboration with doctors, occupational therapists, and other physiotherapists to create the best plan for each patient. This really interests me.
My exposure to different physios provided great role models who inspired me to continue my journey as an athlete and scholar. When I was able to reevaluate what I value, those influences focused me on becoming a physiotherapist. Additionally, my experience coaching and working with kids with autism has shown I work well and communicate effectively one-on-one. I enjoy the process of helping someone improve their abilities and quality of life through movement in a one-on-one setting. I want to put people in a position to succeed.
Coaching has allowed me to create positive environments and build relationships with each player to ensure they can improve, have fun, make friends, and gain lifelong healthy skills. These experiences have reinforced and further influenced my desire to be a physiotherapist, as I want to provide this on a daily basis. I think it plays to my strengths.
student-823
Growing up as an immigrant, I've noticed healthcare disparities. In Palestine, my brother has diabetes and asthma, requiring frequent hospital visits. Despite limited supplies, doctors did everything to make us feel safe and reassure us of quality care. After immigrating to Canada, we had plentiful resources but faced cultural and language barriers. As I learned English, I translated between doctors and my parents. Though challenged, physicians welcomed us, guided us to resources, and brought in Arabic speakers to ensure excellent care for my brother.
Later, working with patients myself, I strived to implement the same compassionate approach I had experienced. By listening empathetically and understanding obstacles to care, I could help vulnerable patients feel heard. Oftentimes, they simply need someone to listen. As a physician, this compassion is so important. Shadowing doctors, I've seen their leadership role on the healthcare team, delegating tasks and making final calls. Their long-term guidance through patients' journeys also resonated with me. I aim to provide that ongoing medical and emotional support to create lasting change.
Advocating for patients while solving complex cases over many years embodies my goals as a physician. My experiences navigating disparities as an immigrant exposed me to physician practices that resonated deeply - patient-centered care and lifelong dedication. These inspire me to pursue medicine to listen to, support, and empower patients in overcoming any barriers on the path to health.
student-750
Yeah. So of course, since the medical admissions process is so long and tough, I have thought about other career plans. For example, I wanted also to be an engineer because actually a lot of people tell me that those are very different career paths but I actually don't think so. I think that they have a lot of similarities. For example, both in medicine and in engineering, you have to be able to communicate your thoughts clearly and patiently. The engineer has to communicate with his colleagues and with the client and make sure that he can explain everything in simple terms so that everybody understands and is comfortable with what the prognosis will be. The doctor too, has to talk in a simple manner with the patient and he has to make sure that he's very well understood because the patient's treatment is at risk.
Also, I think in both careers you need to have an analytic brain, which is something I have because I can analyze things very quickly. For example, when I was in a biology class, the teacher said something and it automatically clicked in my brain that it contradicted something she had said earlier. So I wanted to ask her the question and she told me that it was a mistake. As I said, I'm very able to find when something is not making sense because I have an analytical brain and critical thinking.
I think both engineers and doctors have to diagnose and establish a prognosis. Well, they both require critical thinking because sometimes you have to be able to not be so gullible and to actually think for yourself instead of listening to others.
Also, I think the main difference between the two is that engineers will require less empathy than doctors, which is why I want to go into medicine and not anymore into engineering because I'm someone who's very empathetic and who can really feel what somebody's feeling and put myself in their shoes. For example, when my friend was really sad one day, I was there for her and I could actually feel her pain and I started crying with her. And also through helping my father, who's sick with multiple sclerosis, I actually could develop and just put forward my empathy, because I always had to know when something was uncomfortable for him, and I helped him through it. And I could also talk with him and figure out what went wrong, why he's sad. And I could always encourage him, and he always felt better afterwards.
So this is why I want to go into medicine and not into engineering because I have empathy and I want to use it because I love reassuring people and simply putting a smile on people's faces after they've been sad.
student-796
Well, the main issue here is that if the baby keeps screaming and crying, it could disturb the other passengers who may have important events the next day and need a good night's sleep. Also, the parents are likely feeling embarrassed about their baby's behavior. So we need to take both sides into account.
What I would do is approach the parents in a polite, private manner so as not to embarrass them publicly. I would ask if anything is wrong with the baby - maybe the baby is hungry, needs a snack, doesn't have any toys, etc. Gathering more information first allows me to make a more informed decision about how to help.
I could then offer some alternatives, like playing with the baby myself to provide a calming distraction if the baby is just feeling stressed from the plane environment. If the baby does settle down, problem solved. But if not, as a last resort I would put in earphones and listen to loud music so I don't hear the crying and can get some rest. The goal is to find a mutually considerate solution that respects the needs of both the parents and other passengers.
student-719
I agree this problematic behavior cannot be justified despite Dr. A's strong surgical outcomes. Fostering disrespect erodes team cohesion, which harms care quality. If staff feel constantly disrespected, they will be less motivated, compromising patient outcomes. Allowing this culture risks trainees emulating such conduct, propagating disrespectful patterns. Treating patients dismissively dehumanizes them, infringing on their rights and dignity. Research shows dehumanization impairs care. Though Dr. A's individual metrics are strong, condoning this behavior will enable greater harm long-term. A disrespectful environment will breed future disrespectful practitioners, eventually degrading care for countless patients. While short-term surgical results matter, the downstream effects of normalized mistreatment pose too great a risk. Upholding patient dignity and nurturing collaborative team cultures must remain paramount. Overall, Dr. A's pattern of disrespect cannot be justified solely by immediate outcomes, as it threatens patient wellbeing and staff integrity in the long run.
student-828
In this complex scenario, my priority would be addressing the needs of this girl and doing everything in my power to assist, since negligence could lead to further harm. I believe the first step would be to speak with her privately about her concerns with sleeping pills and motivations for using them. This conversation would allow me to better understand her intentions and assess the situation to determine if my intervention or someone else's is necessary. If I leave this issue unattended, she may see another doctor unaware of her history who prescribes sleeping pills, potentially causing harm. So having an open discussion to grasp her perspective and needs would be critical before deciding how to proceed. My goal is preventing greater issues by proactively engaging with care and concern.
student-728
In this scenario with a patient with Down syndrome who is pregnant, my role as a healthcare provider is to advocate for my patient's wishes first and foremost. I appreciate the parents' perspective advising abortion, and will communicate I understand their view. However, I must uphold professional standards and prioritize my patient's autonomy.
I would have an open conversation to ensure she has fully considered all options and implications involved. My goal is complete transparency so she can make a fully informed decision. Ultimately it is her choice, and I will support whatever she decides after thoughtful reflection.
This reminds me of a high school friend's experience choosing a university. She wanted to attend York University nearby, but her parents pushed for farther options like Waterloo or McMaster. As her friend, I reinforced that this was her decision - she knew what would make her happiest and I advocated for her autonomy, despite her parents' strong opinions. My role was empowering her to make the choice for herself as an adult.
Similarly here, while I will listen to parental concerns, my duty is to my patient. I will ensure she examines the situation comprehensively, then back her fully informed decision, whatever it may be. My priority is empowering my patient's self-determined choice.
student-785
That's very true. There are many careers where you're able to help people through different aspects of their life, I think. However, it's not so much that. I think medicine is just in a very unique position where you are able to not only take the latest in science, which is something I'm very passionate about, but you're also able to apply that to the human body. You're able to use that information to help people with their health and to help people who are in their most vulnerable times.
So I think it's that combination of using science - the latest science - along with being able to work directly with people that makes me want to pursue a career in medicine. The personal, human aspect is so important to me because I think it's a real privilege to be able to work with people and help them understand what they're going through when they are suffering from an illness. You're able to help them understand potential treatment options and enable them to make the most informed decisions about their care. The opportunity to work alongside patients at such a crucial time is an enormous responsibility, but also extremely fulfilling and rewarding. It's the kind of positive impact I want to have on people's lives.
For example, when my grandmother with Alzheimer's was living with us, I took it upon myself to help her with her medications. My grandmother would wake us up around three in the morning, crying and thinking she was going to die. No one could console her until I sat with her and explained that she just needed to take her medication. I was able to work with her, to help her understand why she needed each medication - for her blood pressure and for the Alzheimer's. She took multiple medications and I saw the huge impact it had on her when I was able to get her to take them. It would take a while, but eventually she would take the medication, start to feel better, and be able to go back to sleep. You could see how much it meant to her.
And in my role as an emergency room scribe, I get to see physicians connect with patients daily. I observe them use their medical knowledge to help people recover and return to their normal lives. That connection with patients at such vulnerable moments, along with the ability to truly make a difference in their lives, is what I want for my own career. It's something I look forward to as a future physician and that few other careers can provide.
student-716
This is a tricky situation as I understand both sides of the family, and it's a very big decision that will impact many people including the family and baby. I grasp the father's perspective - if she proceeds, she can focus on her career and provide financially for the family. I also see the mother's concern about potential health risks to the baby from in vitro fertilization. I would first approach the older sister privately and non-confrontationally to gather more details on her motivations. I would suggest she research the scenario further to make a more informed choice. I would urge her to consult others she cares about for input. I would offer to help care for the baby if she decides to proceed. This allows us to come to a thoughtful decision while exploring options and impacts. By gathering more information and perspectives, we can support her through an ethical process to reach the best outcome.
student-725
In this complex situation, I would make remaining unbiased and not pre-judging a priority before taking action. I would have one-on-one conversations with my mother and father separately to better understand their perspectives. Using those insights, I would then speak to my sister and brother-in-law to hear their thoughts and stance, since ultimately it is their family and decision. I would offer support, whether financially, emotionally, or by guiding them through the process. My role is to assist my sister and brother-in-law with whatever they decide in the end, after thoroughly listening to all sides without judgment. By seeking to comprehend each perspective, I can provide the most meaningful support to my sister during this challenging situation, while still respecting her autonomy in choosing the path forward.
student-744
As a doctor, your first role is to prioritize the patient and act in the patient's best interests. So of course, if the patients feel as if they want a different doctor, then I would oblige and try to help them find a different doctor that is a better fit for them.
However, as a physician, you have a responsibility to be professional and try to better yourself and try to be the best you can be. So I would first reach out to the family and ask them what exactly I might have done wrong and what exactly I could do to be better in situations like this, because I want to learn from my mistakes and be better for the next patient.
Maybe this bedside manner difficulty was because I was from a different culture than the patient. So in order for me to be a good health advocate and have cultural competence enough to give equal high quality care to patients from all different backgrounds, I have to try and figure out what the root of the problem is so I can address that problem myself.
Lastly, as a doctor, you have to be a good communicator and build a good relationship with your patient and be able to empathize with them, explain things to them in a way they can understand and make sure that they have all the information that they need. So if I was not clear enough or not sympathetic enough to the patient situation, that I need to know so I can adjust my approach moving forward with different patients.
I would also ask the family if they would like to give me an opportunity to fix my bedside manner and make it suit their needs better. And if they say no, I would of course tell them that's totally fine, and try to give them options of colleagues who might have the kind of bedside manner that they are most comfortable with and what they're looking for.
student-806
If I found this individual to be problematic towards myself, I might feel the need to bring this to their attention. However, if their behavior is affecting others more than myself, I would consult with them before bringing it to the individual's attention. I would want to engage in a private, open-ended dialogue to better understand their perspective. Perhaps it is a misunderstanding, or they are unaware of being stuck in their own perspective. My goal would be to kindly educate them and help them realize how their actions impact other group members and myself.
If they left the group after our discussion, it would be unfortunate to lose a strong contributor. However, I would not feel at fault since I did what seemed necessary after consulting others - it would have been a collective decision. I could reach out after their departure to gain their perspective and hear their side, then potentially rectify the issue by mutually agreeing they return. Or, I may need to acknowledge and accept their departure, wish them the best, and part ways.
student-759
This is obviously a very complex dilemma with no easy comprehensive solution that satisfies all stakeholders. The primary conflict is balancing free speech versus safety and well-being of users when social media platforms restrict or remove content deemed discriminatory or offensive.
On one hand, allowing individuals to display any content exercises their right to free speech. However, this risks making parts of the user base feel unsafe or lose those users entirely, which impacts revenue. So platforms have to determine which content is truly discriminatory or offensive enough to warrant restricting.
If content is designed to intentionally hurt certain groups, then removing it is warranted. But content not meant to be hurtful, even if offensive to some, requires more consideration before removal. There is no universally correct solution yet, as evidenced by cancel culture debates. Perspectives of free speech advocates and vulnerable groups like BIPOCs and LGBTQ+ must be balanced, which is extremely difficult.
Personally, I would prioritize user safety on a social media platform, even at some cost to free speech. If content is likely to be broadly harmful if proliferated, removing it is reasonable. The top priority should be ensuring all users feel safe, welcome, and able to express themselves.
So I agree with removing intentionally harmful content. But possibly offensive content requires more discussion before removal. Well-being of all users should be the number one priority for social media platforms.
student-768
This past summer, I had the opportunity to work in landscape construction as a laborer, my first job of this kind. I felt nervous starting out. When I couldn't find retail or similar roles, I took a chance on this position given my active interests. On my first day, it was an emotional toll and I doubted myself, having never done manual labor before. It gave me empathy for those doing this daily. Waking at 6am and working to 6pm was grueling. But I persevered by learning from others, utilizing resources, and pushing through. I stuck with it for a few months. While challenging being new to this work, it was a growth experience. Stepping outside my comfort zone built resilience and appreciation for the hard work done by trade professionals who perform these demanding jobs every day. In the end, I'm grateful to have developed new skills and insights.
student-747
The prompt I'll be discussing centers around Dr. Chong, a physician who has been recommending homeopathic remedies for his patients.
Homeopathic remedies are an alternative form of medicine involving biological materials from plants or animals. As stated, there isn't enough evidence that this actually works. Furthermore, Dr. Chong himself doesn't believe they work, but he assigns these treatments to patients with mild or subjective symptoms because he thinks they won't cause harm and will provide reassurance.
I'm asked to discuss the ethical problems with this behavior. First, Dr. Chong doesn't believe the treatments work but makes patients think they do. This takes away from treatments patients could or should be getting. He's brushing off concerns because he thinks they'll naturally subside.
This violates the principle of "first, do no harm." While he may not directly cause harm, he causes patients to not seek other treatments because patients often trust their doctors, especially long-term. So long-term patients may not get second opinions and will take ineffective treatments.
It's based on his personal assessment that symptoms are mild or subjective. But misdiagnoses occur, and he puts patients in danger of not seeking other opinions or treatments that could actually help. Under the CanMEDS framework, doctors should be community health leaders, but he is failing by promoting unproven remedies.
Even non-patients may start believing these work if they know someone recommended by Dr. Chong. They may disregard other professionals' advice. Dr. Chong has failed as a health expert by giving legitimacy to this medicine.
Other physicians may have patients citing Dr. Chong, thinking if he recommends it, it must work. More people may believe in homeopathic remedies even though there's no evidence.
Lastly, it works like a placebo, but there's not enough evidence that placebos have the positive effects Dr. Chong believes. In summary, he violates "first, do no harm" by dissuading patients from effective care, fails as a community health leader by promoting unproven remedies, and fails as a health expert by legitimizing homeopathy despite lack of evidence.
student-811
If the club covers the full costs for only three people, the other members may perceive preferential treatment, which could negatively impact working relationships within the club. We could split the money so everyone's expenses are partially covered, but some members may still be unable to afford the trip. To try to cover more costs for everyone, I would propose a fundraiser. Whatever money we raise could help offset more of the trip expenses per person. This approach demonstrates fairness by providing support based on participation rather than favoritism. It also fosters teamwork as members work together toward the common goal of making the trip accessible to all.
student-727
If I notice bruises on a 10-year-old patient, I must first understand the cause before jumping to conclusions, just as I would want if I were the parent. I would analyze the bruises, and if I suspect abuse, have a private conversation with the boy to protect his autonomy and privacy.
If he shares more about the situation, my priority is supporting him - empathizing, comforting him in my office. I would discuss available resources, though reporting to parents could endanger him further. Since he is only 10, I would ensure he has a support system like another family member he can talk to regularly and somewhere safe to go. His well-being is most important.
I cannot leave it at that, as returning home may lead to further harm. So I would try to have a conversation with the parents, not to blame or confront them, but to understand their personalities and what is behind their actions. If issues like addiction, temper, or lack of resources are factors, I can offer help - improving the child's life also means improving the whole family's.
I would share my concerns without implicating the child, framing it as my own observations so the boy is not punished. Providing my contact information, I would follow up to monitor the situation closely. My goal is to address this sensitively while prioritizing the child's safety and well-being.
student-795
Hi Jason, I wanted to come over and check in on you. I know how hardworking you are and am aware you are applying to medical school and can imagine how difficult these past few weeks have been. I wanted to ask how you are doing and whether there is anything I can assist you with. I don't want you to fall behind in class and our professor is worried about your attendance. Perhaps we could write him an email together explaining the stress you are under and he may be able to help you by giving extensions or allowing me to bring your work to you. I could also help you find some resources or tools to manage your stress, such as mindfulness exercises or making a scheduled plan. My goal is to support you during this challenging time - please let me know how I can help.
student-718
This is a sensitive situation that requires compassion and transparency. As the surgeon who discharged a now deceased patient, the family deserves answers.
First, I would thoroughly review the patient's file, my discharge notes, and consult other providers involved to understand the full context that led to discharging her. This will help me better explain my rationale to the grieving family.
I would invite the family to meet in person if possible, or by phone/video if needed. Without making assumptions, I would let them express their feelings and ask questions without judgement. I understand their pain and confusion at losing someone they expected to recover.
I would walk through the treatment plan, health status at discharge, and reasoning in simple, clear terms. If I cannot fully answer a question, I would connect them with a provider who can.
Most importantly, I would acknowledge the enormous difficulty for the family, validating their emotions. I would offer as much support as I can, meeting again if desired, and connecting them with counseling/community resources during this devastating time.
My priority is being transparent about decisions made, while also providing compassion and support to help the family through grief over losing their loved one. Open communication and empathy are essential.
student-789
When I was younger, I tried out for many soccer teams but could never make it. The players treated me poorly, saying I wasn't good enough and making fun of me. At the time, I felt disrespected without understanding their perspective. The kids may not have known how to properly treat others and thought it was a joke. What I really gained from that situation is more significant than their actions. I learned to never give up. I kept going and eventually made a soccer team. This experience applies to becoming a doctor. There will be many hard times, so you must keep trying even when you lack confidence. Perseverance will make you a great physician able to provide excellent care. While the teasing was difficult, it taught me an important lesson that guides me to this day - never quit in pursuit of your goals.
student-724
I have not considered any other careers besides being a physician because my whole life I've wanted to care for patients, and help them advocate for themselves and their own care as well. I want to devote the rest of my life to helping patients advocate for their own care. Although I have a deep respect for other health professionals and I would love to work with them in contributing to the patient care experience, I believe that being a physician will fulfill this desire. As a physician, I can ensure that patients receive the best care possible. I want to ensure that patients receive the best care possible. As a physician, I can ensure that they receive this care.
student-817
In comparing laughter to medicine, the main point is to emphasize the vital role emotions play in people's health. No matter your medical expertise or technological proficiency, a crucial aspect is empathy. Being able to express kindness, care, and positive emotions through smiling, welcoming body language, and laughter is key - especially with distressed populations like children in healthcare settings. The statement underscores the significance of emotions, which I hope to apply in my medical career. Medical knowledge is important, but emotional intelligence and the ability to connect matter immensely too. This reminder to incorporate compassion and positivity will guide me as I work to improve patients' wellbeing.
student-729
Having volunteered in a long-term care home, I understand the difficulty this situation poses, having witnessed patients pass away. While fulfilling your duties, you must remain mindful and empathetic on this sensitive topic. I would approach the family privately in a comfortable setting to offer emotional support and resources. I would also take time to reflect on my own feelings, as this is distressing for staff too. Practicing self-care and speaking with other healthcare practitioners to address my needs is important. My goal is providing compassionate care for the grieving family while recognizing the emotional toll on myself and taking steps to manage that burden as well. This requires an empathetic approach for the family combined with conscious efforts to tend to my own wellbeing during an extremely difficult time.
student-741
In this situation, a few social implications of a free needle exchange program would be definitely a positive benefit to the current vulnerable populations that may not have access to clean utensils, may not have the funds or the ability to get SDI checked. They also could be a population of the lower socioeconomic status as often drug users are.
And so a program like this would definitely help allow them to give them a space where they can perform activities in a safe manner, although it's a very important way to stress harm reduction. So a medical implication of this would be that the needle exchange program could allow for the reduced risk of HIV transmission, for hepatitis transmission. So that would definitely be a benefit to the population that this program would be targeting.
Additionally, this program definitely has the added benefit of providing a physician referral. So it can allow these patients or these potential patients that now they know that their screen has come back positive with something, they might not have a primary care physician or have the funds to go to an urgent clinic. So it would be beneficial that a physician referral is given to the patient because they have somewhere to go to and they know that after receiving this information there is a next step for them. So that could be a good medical implication as well.
Another potentially social medical implication of this program could be that the existence of a needle exchange program. Some could argue that this would provide a motivating factor to continue in these dangerous activities. However, it can be also argued that a needle exchange program can help with ensuring that communicable diseases and active infectious diseases actually go down within a population.
And additionally for a viable alternative. Some viable alternatives could be pharmacies that hand out or provide clean needles to populations that ask and also a safe place to dispose used needles so that they aren't in the streets or where someone can accidentally step on a sharp needle that's been injected with someone else and prevent potentially transferred for a communicable disease. Additionally, another viable alternative could be free STI testing at local clinics. A lot of states and local regional health programs offer clinics that provide free and anonymous sexual health disease testing. That could also be beneficial as well.
student-826
In 8th grade, my elementary school basketball team was preparing for the regional tournament, which would be my final year at that school. As the team's leading scorer and offensive facilitator, a lot of pressure was on me to lead us to the championship.
While I was confident in my abilities, I also knew the competition we would face. The day before the tournament, I was suddenly overcome with doubt about whether I could effectively marshal my teammates to play their roles and win. A big reason was that I wasn't very good at motivational speeches. I preferred to lead by example through my play.
I knew I had to give some kind of speech to set the tone, but I struggled mightily to come up with anything good enough. The morning of the tournament, I still didn't have a plan and wondered if I would give a speech at all. But I knew my team needed that spark.
So before our first game, I gathered everyone and gave a short, 1-minute speech. I clearly communicated our goal to win the championship and laid out how each player would contribute based on their strengths. I said I would lead the scoring and create opportunities for them.
We didn't win the tournament, losing in the finals. But I was proud of what we accomplished against tough competition. A big factor was me overcoming self-doubt to motivate my team.
What enabled me to push past the doubt was recalling positive moments of camaraderie with my teammates. Seeing our less experienced players score late in games reminded me of our strengths. Those memories motivated me to give the speech that ultimately helped lead us to the finals.
Whenever self-doubt creeps in about your leadership abilities, remember your strengths and find ways to mitigate weaknesses. Focusing on past successes can help overcome doubt to make a difference. For me, that was the key to performing well under pressure.
student-771
Thank you for your question. My responsibility here remains maintaining a positive relationship with the patient and family. If this reflects on my general behavior, it could also impact coworkers and other patients.
To understand the situation better, I would first approach the patient, as they are my primary concern. In a comfortable, non-confrontational setting, I would gauge how they've been feeling and if anything is bothering them about treatment or my bedside manner. I would open a conversation to discuss any concerns and assure them I welcome feedback to provide the best care possible. If the patient seems willing to talk, it would be a good opportunity to take any feedback, reflect on it, and apply strategies to better support them.
I would also speak to my supervisor to understand the full situation before approaching the family, so I have information on both sides. Again, it would be a private, non-judgmental way to make them feel comfortable explaining their concerns. I want to gain feedback on how I could improve and better support their family. If I can easily fix something that would benefit the situation, I will reflect and try to implement their suggestions to support them through this open conversation.
I would also gauge any underlying biases occurring on both sides, like cultural or religious differences I'm not considering, or my own biases against patients - an important self-reflection for any physician. While doing so, I might better understand the family's biases regarding my race, ethnicity, gender, etc. that impact how I implement their feedback.
Most importantly, my job is ensuring patient wellbeing. I would encourage and welcome their suggestions and feedback. I would also assure them that if our dynamic is not working, I'm happy to refer them to another physician for treatment continuity, as their wellbeing is my priority. If another physician can interact more positively, I would do so. Moving forward, I would also get perspectives from other healthcare professionals.
student-824
Thank you for sharing this challenging situation. I appreciate you thoughtfully considering multiple perspectives - the patient, physician, and broader public. This appears to be an ethically complex scenario involving issues like conflict of interest, professionalism, and trust.
I agree the ideal approach is to first have an open, non-judgmental dialogue with my colleague to better understand how this relationship developed. It's important we don't assume ill intent without details. I would want to know if my peer feels they can still objectively treat this patient, and discuss options like referring them to another provider to avoid any conflicts. Ultimately though, physicians should likely refrain from romantic relationships with current patients due to inherent power imbalances.
If my colleague is unwilling to cease seeing the patient, I would need to escalate the matter professionally. Our duty is to deliver unbiased care, and an intimate involvement could jeopardize that. However, I would aim to handle this sensitively. There may be personal issues underlying my peer's choices. As physicians, we need to balance multiple duties - to patients, colleagues, and society. In this case, patient wellbeing should come first while also preserving my colleague's dignity. With open communication and discretion, I'm hopeful this situation could be resolved to uphold ethical standards. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
student-831
This is a sensitive situation, as public health should be the top priority, yet tracking individuals' movements can impose major privacy risks that make citizens feel exposed. Given these competing concerns, the best approach may be finding alternative public health measures that lower disease spread while respecting privacy.
Suggestions already implemented worldwide include masking mandates, vaccination requirements, social distancing, and limits on gatherings. While controversial, dissecting perspectives on why they help can build understanding. Officials can share unbiased data on masks, hygiene and distancing to educate citizens that these measures effectively reduce transmission based on evidence.
It's also key to remind the public of the goal - reducing illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths. With limited hospital capacity, surging cases can overburden healthcare workers and restrict care for other emergencies. By informing citizens of these broad implications, they may better comprehend the purpose of safety measures despite privacy tradeoffs.
In summary, educating the public with clear evidence-based rationale for interventions can promote informed choices. Citizens may then continue safety practices willingly, knowing the societal benefits, while retaining autonomy over health decisions and minimizing invasive tracking. A thoughtful public health approach requires openness on all sides to find solutions.
student-766
In our province, I think our healthcare system overall does a pretty good job. With a public healthcare system like we have in Canada, where people are able to get hopefully accessible and inclusive care, there's definitely going to be shortcomings. But overall we see a system where we have our so-called "free healthcare," although we do pay taxes. In any system there's always going to be strengths and weaknesses. But I think overall we do a pretty good job.
The issue I'm most passionate about would be accessibility and equality issues, specifically the treatment of indigenous people and people with disabilities. I don't want to make broad, sweeping statements about healthcare in general because it's not every single doctor or health authority that has these issues. But I think with indigenous people in our province and Canada, there have been many instances where they haven't been treated properly and haven't been given the same resources and opportunities to be successful. Some doctors are great, but there have been high profile and likely many unreported cases where indigenous people have not been given the same treatment - whether refused treatments, turned away due to prejudices, or not welcomed in a Western medical environment because as healthcare providers, we're unable or unwilling to accommodate certain values and beliefs.
I think this is super important and something we can improve on. Where many indigenous people live in rural communities in BC, I think as a province we struggle to provide good, meaningful, equitable healthcare to people in rural and indigenous communities. It's something they really deserve and I'm quite passionate about. I think it's important that as we move forward, we educate current and future generations with knowledge on how to deal with these issues so professionals are better equipped to go in without prejudice and find solutions that work for both patient and doctor to have a good working relationship that maximizes health outcomes.
All cultures and beliefs should be welcome in a healthcare setting by having empathetic people able to go in with no judgment or prejudice, and allow different views and practices that maximize patient outcomes. Having someone willing to listen and create meaningful, non-judgmental relationships with indigenous people in healthcare is key.
I also mentioned people with disabilities. As Westerners and able-bodied people, there are barriers we don't think of that prevent access. Addressing those barriers is really important and something I'm passionate about because I firmly believe everyone should be given the opportunity to access our good healthcare system.
student-821
This is tricky because the patient needs the medication, so it must be administered despite potential side effects. I would first research the literature to understand what other patients have experienced and how side effects were mitigated. Taking a holistic approach to understand the patient's specific needs and lifestyle is key. For example, I have stomach issues myself and make dietary and behavioral changes to alleviate problems that certain medications can exacerbate. After learning about the patient's lifestyle and listening to their concerns, I can offer tailored solutions to manage side effects.
To determine if treatment is worthwhile, I would weigh the pros and cons. I would make a detailed list of the benefits and risks to inform our decision. I would also consult other doctors about their experiences managing similar cases. Most importantly, I would have an open discussion with the patient about their preferences and priorities. They have autonomy in the decision, so it must be made jointly. Ultimately, if side effects accompany a treatment that is critical for their survival, I would move forward to provide the best possible care. By researching thoroughly, listening to the patient, and weighing all factors, we can make the most ethical, personalized treatment decision.
student-726
In this complex situation, I would prioritize personal safety while looking out for the homeless individual's wellbeing. Rather than chasing the two girls and risking harm, I would stay with the individual, empathize by asking about their situation and experiences. I would inquire if they've raised this as a concern to authorities and offer assistance in doing so if desired. Providing emotional support and legal guidance within my abilities could help. If the individual wants assistance in reporting this mistreatment, I would help navigate that process with authorities. My focus is avoiding an unsafe confrontation while assisting this mistreated person in finding a constructive resolution. Listening compassionately and advising them on options to address this recurring issue is likely the most prudent course of action.
student-740
Three key qualities that exemplify my personable nature are communication skills, patient advocacy, and ability to collaborate. Peers in school, work, and my personal life would describe me as personable - someone who connects well with others. This involves qualities like effectively communicating, standing up for patients, and finding common ground.
I demonstrated these traits early on in my clinical experience volunteering at a family medical clinic. One day an elderly male patient was giving the receptionists a hard time and the other introverted volunteers looked to me to intervene. Despite having no experience, I approached the man and acknowledged his frustration.
I engaged him in conversation, asked about his grandchildren, and found commonalities to establish a connection. Though initially angry, he soon relaxed and we had a meaningful interaction. This exemplified using communication, advocacy, and collaboration to resolve a tense situation.
The ability to build rapport is so valuable for a healthcare provider. As a prospective physician assistant, I want to bring my personable nature to relate to patients, make them feel heard, and build trust. My interpersonal skills allow me to connect with diverse people, understand their needs, and forge lasting relationships. These qualities represent my strengths.
student-788
This is clearly a very challenging situation with multiple perspectives to consider. First, I would try to understand each person's reasoning and motivations. I would meet privately with our mother, who opposes the in vitro fertilization, to understand her concerns in a non-judgmental way. Perhaps she feels the process of using a surrogate in India is unethical. I would listen openly, while not validating or invalidating her views.
Next, I would speak to my sister to understand why she wants to pursue IVF and confirm she has thoroughly considered the pros, cons and alternatives. While staying at work during pregnancy is a consideration, this is ultimately about starting a family, so I would want to ensure she has reflected deeply on her choice.
As her brother, if after careful thought my sister feels IVF is the right decision for her, I would support her as an adult capable of making her own choices, regardless of our parents' conflicting views. I would try to bring everyone together to discuss perspectives openly and foster understanding. My role is to be a neutral party helping my sister feel empowered in her decision-making, while also respecting our parents have strong feelings from places of care and concern. This is a complex situation with emotional nuance around family, career and ethics. Through open communication, hopefully common ground can be found.
student-773
This is a difficult situation, as the athlete plans to use prohibited anabolic steroids to train for competition. However, my role as this family's physician is to provide the best care regardless of circumstances.
I would first have a private conversation asking what he knows about steroid use - both medically and in terms of athletic consequences. It's important to ensure he fully comprehends the potential long-term health risks that could hinder his quality of life. This conversation can create an open environment for him to ask questions and voice concerns, which I would try to answer or consult a specialist if needed.
By establishing this relationship and addressing his questions, I aim to create a space where he knows I want to help. As his longtime physician with knowledge of his history, I would share that I'm willing to continue treating him. If he proceeds with steroids, I would monitor his health impacts - though ethically complex, it's key as a physician to approach with an open mind to provide the best care.
While steroid use may be prohibited and concerning, my priority is this patient's well-being. By having an open dialogue, I can ensure he makes an informed choice and feels comfortable coming to me for care, even if I cannot condone his actions.
student-767
Thank you for the question. I distinctly remember the book that initially sparked my interest in what I want to pursue later in life. It was a basic book about human anatomy that I found in 8th grade. It had transparent pages where you could go through the layers of the human body - the skeleton, muscles, and I remember reaching the nervous system and brain.
I remember being stunned for a few minutes while reading because to the 13 year old I was, this fundamental brain information was magic to me. I couldn't believe what I was reading, and most of it remains magic to me today. As cheesy as it sounds, it was then that I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to studying the human body, but the brain in particular.
I didn't know how or where I'd do that, just that I wanted to in some way. It wasn't until years later when my grandmother fell ill that I saw neurological symptoms firsthand. She had Parkinson's which progressed to delirium. She was hallucinating and saying things that didn't make sense.
I had seen people get sick before, but never display neurological symptoms like that. It was disturbing because someone I had known for so long suddenly became someone I didn't know due to changes in her brain. It deeply affected me and remains with me.
Later, I decided to shadow a neurologist to witness the field up close. The neurologist dealt with patients with various neurological symptoms. What stuck with me was the position the physician had and his ability to give hope.
I think that's extremely unique to a physician's profession. Many noble professions help people, but physicians can give hope. As neuro patients, we face frightening possibilities of our illnesses erasing who we are. So seeing the physician give hope, saying "You'll still be you, you'll survive" had a profound effect.
It reminded me of my grandmother and the helplessness I felt. It encouraged me that if I could one day give hope to someone like my past self, I'd be eternally grateful. It reinforced my excitement to potentially pursue neurosurgery at U of T.
So in summary, that book sparked my initial interest in the brain, my grandmother's illness made it real, and seeing a neurologist give hope to patients reinforced medicine as the career path to pursue. Thank you for the question.
student-810
The prompt is to discuss gambling in the larger sense and its implications for society. There are a lot of pros and cons to gambling. It is seen as a recreational activity - it can bring people together, give them something to do, be a stress reliever, or just fun if you go to a casino or buy a lottery ticket. Those are considered forms of gambling that can be harmless.
However, gambling also has significant downsides in that it can become addictive. Once addicted, it is very difficult to break the habit and can impact not just the gambler but their family and friends. It's difficult for addicted gamblers to see when they cross a line. Addiction is an illness that needs to be treated as such.
If someone with a gambling problem asks you for money, it's important not to give in right away. You need to convey worry for what they'll do with the money. Remain calm and not argumentative or accusatory - that doesn't help in these situations. Approach delicately.
Recommend solutions - say you're coming as a supportive friend who has looked into resources that can help, some form of rehabilitation may be necessary because you want them to avoid further harm. Identify you're trying to help, not control. Ultimately it is their choice to seek help, but your role is to facilitate that discussion and encourage them to reach out.
Gambling can have really detrimental impacts - I've heard of people losing homes, affecting family. I don't think the pros ever outweigh the cons. It can become a very harmful habit. I personally don't enjoy gambling, so maybe I'm biased, but I recognize it can be fun and social for some.
Organizations that run gambling have a duty to not promote unhealthy behavior and provide resources for those who become addicted. Friends and family have a duty to each other, and the community has a duty. But organizations like OLG have a responsibility to ensure they don't promote unhealthy habits and provide resources for gambling addiction.
student-812
Leadership and communication skills are invaluable for healthcare providers. In my experience, the ability to communicate effectively engenders trust and rapport with patients. Skilled communicators can understand patients’ perspectives and establish meaningful relationships.
Early in my volunteering at a family clinic, I recognized a need for better teamwork among volunteers. At first, we barely knew each other’s names. I decided to hold a meeting for us to introduce ourselves, share experiences, and align on how to collaborate productively. Although we each had leadership abilities, bringing them together enabled joint decision-making and unity.
After coming together as a team, we worked much more efficiently. One doctor even noticed the dramatic improvement in our teamwork. We created a “code blue” to call for assistance when needed. Our meetings enabled understanding of each role, and incorporating our strengths allowed effective collaboration.
Developing our individual leadership skills while also bonding as a unit was deeply inspiring. This experience showed me the tremendous value of communication, leadership, and teamwork in healthcare roles. It is something I will carry forward in my career.
student-786
This is an important issue involving someone close to me, so I need to address it without bias but make clear the seriousness of her actions. I would ask to speak with her privately at a time when she's not exhausted or overwhelmed. Bringing donuts or something to show care, I'd gently ask how much she had to drink to understand what led to this. If heavy drinking is new or unusual for her, I'd want to know more about what caused that.
Most importantly, I would advise her to seek out information on the person she hit - visit the intersection for cameras, check local medical centers. She needs to take responsibility for apologizing, compensating the victim's family, and correcting her mistake as much as possible. Drunk driving resulting in an accident is unacceptable.
For the future, I would offer to be with her when drinking to ensure she doesn't drive impaired. I'd discuss alternatives like Uber, public transit, calling me or someone else for a ride. She can always contact me rather than drive drunk.
If charges are pressed, I would encourage her to admit guilt and accept the consequences. Actively righting the wrong through apology and restitution may minimize penalties. But accountability is essential. My goal is helping her understand the gravity of her actions, take responsibility, and prevent any recurrence, while also providing support as her friend.
student-782
My perspective on our role in activism is that physicians usually act on a more individual level as they're treating symptoms that patients may have. But I also believe that there are many health issues which are systemic, and that physicians should do their part in addressing these issues, maybe even appealing to government bodies when they don't agree with a piece of legislation. But at the same time, their primary responsibility is activism on a patient level. I believe that to be a competent physician, the doctor always needs to have the patient in mind and advocate for the patient's self interests.
student-818
I believe physician-assisted suicide can be ethically appropriate if certain conditions are met. The patient's medical condition must be deteriorating with no viable treatment options left. They should be fully informed of all alternatives, including hospice and palliative care focused on pain and symptom management. If after being provided information on and careful consideration of these options, the patient still believes physician-assisted suicide aligns with their values and preferences, their autonomy should be respected. However, it is imperative that the physician ensures the patient has full decision-making capacity and is making an informed, voluntary choice. With appropriate safeguards in place to confirm it is the patient's wish and that all alternatives have been explored, physician-assisted suicide could be conducted ethically in specific end-of-life care scenarios. The key is prioritizing patient autonomy based on fully informed consent.
student-775
The issue here is that if she continues this behavior, she will likely get an undeserved high grade, which is unfair to other students. However, I understand the pressures she faces to get a high GPA for medical school admission. I would approach her privately in a non-confrontational manner to gather more information on her motivations. If it was solely to get a high GPA, I would explain that this dishonest approach is unacceptable, but offer to help her find other interesting courses instead. If she agrees, I would gladly assist in finding an alternative. If she declines, I would urge her to confess to the professor so he can make appropriate adjustments. And if she refuses, I would inform the professor myself. I would apologize to her, but explain I must act with integrity. This allows us to maintain academic honesty while making an ethical decision before she improperly benefits.
student-723
I think this is a very important question, especially nowadays, when there are a lot of causes that are worth fighting for. I think being a physician or doctor, or any sort of medical degree, puts you in a position of authority and power in today's society. Being a clinician is a pretty well respected profession. A lot of what doctors say has a lot of sway in the public eye just because of the education that doctors go through and the innate feeling of trust that we're supposed to have in medical providers. So I think with that comes a lot of responsibility on ensuring that we are educating the public on matters of importance and ensuring that we are using our voices to make a difference, not just in the lives of clients or patients, but also in the general public.
Because of this innate responsibility as medical professionals, we can also reflect back on some of the canons medical practitioners are supposed to follow, one of them being an advocate for patients and for people in your community. I think that medical students and physicians have a really strong role in activism as long as it doesn't conflict with the ability to provide care to patients and doesn't increase disparities between marginalized populations. As long as the activism is for a good cause, I think that we have a role in using our knowledge base. Healthcare providers are part of an interconnected team of specialists, and I think using that network is a very important thing to do.
For me personally, I think there's always a place for activism, regardless of what profession you're in. This past summer, I was able to work with a lot of hospital lab employees, not necessarily medical practitioners, but those working in the core labs, working on blood, urine, specimen samples. I was working for a manufacturing research position that was in partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences, and we were able to talk to a lot of employees and get their opinions on their work environment and things that weren't very ergonomic or things that could be improved to help reduce workplace injuries in the future. By giving these employees a voice, we were able to advocate for them and focus our projects on creating a better work environment for them. I think that's a really niche take on activism just because you're not working with a very marginalized population, but you are working with people whose lives could be improved. And I think workers having a say in their work environment is important across the board, regardless of what work condition you're in.
I think activism is a really important thing, especially if it shows your commitment to your community. If you are working with a marginalized population, I think if you don't advocate for that population outside of work, it doesn't bring you as close to the population you're caring for as it should. Because physicians tend to be in a position of power, they tend to be higher status just because of the nature of the profession. I think that everyone in those kinds of situations should be advocating for those with less fortunate situations. That's just my take on it.
student-820
This question brings up issues of justice and helping those in need. While there is an equity problem among coworkers when some have items taken, I believe the priority should be assisting the person struggling. I would start by calling a group meeting to remind everyone about available resources like insurance plans, breakfast served daily, and supplies like toothpaste. I would ask coworkers for suggestions on improving quality of life in the office and incorporate their ideas.
I would also collaborate with colleagues to try and discern who is taking the items, which I assume are not extremely valuable. This indicates someone likely facing financial hardship. I would tell the group that anyone struggling should feel free to speak with me privately so I can offer more support. While noting that stealing is unethical, I would not shame but rather aim to understand their situation. For instance, if it seems to be a diligent employee, I would consider them for a promotion based on merit, not the stealing.
I would encourage open communication and convey my desire to help. If it appears to be an outsider stealing, I would add security measures. My goal would be providing financial assistance through office programs to alleviate the need for theft. I would follow up to ensure the person is doing better and offer additional help as needed. The focus should be having an empathetic, private conversation to get to the root of the issue and assist the individual.
student-777
I think that this is a clear scenario of unprofessionalism. As a doctor, I have the patient's best interest at heart and have to follow the principle of beneficence. Although the relationship could be good for the patient, an intimate relationship between a doctor and patient is unprofessional and could impact the patient's care. The patient may be more inclined to follow a certain treatment just because the physician recommended it, which could affect their health outcomes.
I would first have a private conversation with my colleague to understand the situation fully. I would not want to jump to conclusions or accuse them of something untrue. In our discussion, I would share my observations and ask questions to learn more, like how long the relationship has lasted, how serious it is, and if they are considering marriage. Based on the answers, I would decide what to do next.
There are consequences to my colleague's actions. If it has been a long, serious relationship, I would consult the clinic's ethical policies to see if such relationships are allowed, and under what conditions. If so, I may have the patient switch doctors since it is still unprofessional. Or if they met outside the clinic and plan to marry, perhaps they can continue dating as the policies permit.
If it seems more casual, I would encourage my colleague to speak with HR for guidance, and likely end the relationship if HR agrees it is inappropriate. I would follow up to ensure the situation is handled properly, and support my colleague through the process. Ultimately, I cannot make a unilateral decision without considering all factors and clinic policies. But I would aim to address this ethically and professionally.
student-792
The issue is that without participants, we won't obtain reliable vaccine results. However, that doesn't mean I or anyone should hastily take an unproven vaccine just because I'm an administrator. I would need to review policies to ethically proceed. Has this vaccine been through animal trials and shown safe for human testing? If not, I would not take it or administer it to others, as that could cause harm. However, if it has successfully passed initial safety studies, we would need to enroll participants in clinical trials under careful oversight. I could enroll myself to ethically test the vaccine's effects, but would not take an untested vaccine randomly. My role is ensuring we follow rigorous scientific protocols to safely develop and evaluate this vaccine prior to any deployment.
student-736
This is a difficult situation since the husband is unaware. If he found out, it could damage their relationship. However, he may already know the truth. I would first approach Linda privately without her husband, since we've confirmed it's her biological son but not his. Due to confidentiality, we can only discuss with Linda initially. I would present the results and ask how she wants to proceed - if she wants me to share with her husband, I can. But ultimately, it is her decision and I would respect her preferences. If she does not want me to disclose to her husband because he is not the father, I would not do so. I have to abide by her wishes given the son is not his. My priority is having an open discussion with Linda first and then honoring her choices on how to handle this sensitive situation.
student-734
First, I would greet Jason, thank him for having me over, and have an open conversation. I want to listen without judgment to understand why he hasn't been attending class and how I can help him return. There could be many underlying reasons I'm unaware of. If he's going through a difficult time, I'll offer support to help get him back on track for classes and medical school applications. If it's a lack of motivation or feeling discouraged by the difficulty, I can relate - medical school is challenging. In that case, we'd discuss his goals and ways I can assist, like studying together or working on applications. The aim is hearing his perspective, offering support tailored to his needs, and outlining how we can move forward productively. By having an empathetic discussion oriented around helping him achieve his dreams, I hope to get him back on the path towards success.
student-737
I'll just start with a little bit of my background. I have a very active background. I've been involved in multiple sports throughout my life, whether that was gymnastics, horse riding, hockey, hiking, and weightlifting.
Through those activities, I've been able to grow as a person and do those in a community with people and just improve my overall health and wellbeing. I realize the benefit that fitness can have for people and how much an injury can hinder those goals. As a physiotherapist, I would be able to help people achieve those fitness goals.
I've also had numerous injuries from sports, and I've been in four car accidents. I know that makes me sound like a really bad driver, but I was a passenger in all of them. Just want to throw that in there. So anyways, I've been to the physiotherapist countless times through the years, and honestly, I wouldn't be where I was at today without them.
I realized this is where my passion lies, that I want to be able to be in that role myself and help people recover because I've experienced so much benefit from physiotherapists. I love to be able to be in a direct role to help people get back to their normal activities. I also have a passion for analyzing human movement and being able to produce optimal performance, which I believe would be possible in my role as a physiotherapist.
I've worked in retail for many years as an assistant manager and a supervisor, and through that time, I've been able to refine my communication skills and my teamwork skills as well. Both of these are extremely important as a physiotherapist. I would look forward to being able to use them in this career.
I know this sounds a bit mundane, but I really do enjoy stocking shelves because I enjoy the challenge, the problem solving and just working with my hands. I really enjoy that. And I believe as a physiotherapist, I would be able to use those skills every day, and nothing would bring me greater satisfaction.
I also have attention to detail, and I've been able to refine that through my management position. I believe that's a very necessary skill to have in healthcare when you're dealing with sensitive issues and medical records.
I'm also a very empathetic person, and I have a passion for helping people who are in difficult positions. That's led me to volunteer with Special Olympics, where I was able to interact with athletes who had mental disabilities and just assist them in playing sports. And I've also volunteered at homeless shelters, interacting and serving the guests, also volunteering at a physio clinic for quite a while and being able to provide direct treatment to the patients.
Through all of these things, I realized how much joy and satisfaction it gave me to be able to see the joy on people's faces as they were able to accomplish more than they thought they were able, or maybe move just a bit better. Just being able to play a role in their recovery and restoring mobility and helping them achieve their goals.
So in summary, my physically active background, my experience in retail, my interaction with physiotherapists, and my passion for working with people has confirmed that physiotherapy is where I want to be.
student-804
I currently live with my grandparents and use a car provided by my dad for transportation to university - a privilege I really appreciate. However, about a year ago I was in a minor accident with friends late one night after an exam when we went out to celebrate. At first I was hesitant since I prefer early nights, but agreed to bond with them. Telling my family breached their trust, as they disapprove of me being out late. They felt I misused the car they provided for my education. Breaking this news and their disappointment was deeply upsetting.
The situation was difficult, but I've persevered and things have improved. Looking back, I should have considered my family's wishes over my friends' social plans. My education is the priority they had in mind for the car, not late nights out. I regret the mistake in judgement, but I continue to work hard in my studies to honor their support. I remain grateful for the opportunity I have been given. The accident reinforced the importance of responsibility in upholding my family's trust.
student-757
Recognizing such a complex scenario, my priority would be to uphold the integrity and principles of being a practicing medical practitioner while also emphasizing the importance of well-being for myself, my elderly patients and society as a whole.
In this situation, I would give myself the vaccine because ensuring my health and safety during the outbreak would allow me to continue working to provide healthcare services to other elderly patients. Not only would I be benefiting myself, but I would be benefiting these patients of mine as well. Assisting these patients is a large responsibility of mine, and I am obliged to fulfill that responsibility.
Giving the vaccine to a different person might not be the best option. I would give it to myself.
student-758
Thank you for sharing this difficult situation. As physicians, we have a responsibility to disclose medical information to patients with decision-making capacity, even if family members object.
Before acting, I would first meet privately with the parents to understand their hesitations around disclosure. They may have legitimate concerns about their son's mental health that I should consider. However, I would also explain the importance of respecting the boy's autonomy, given his terminal illness. Assuming he has decision-making capacity, he has a right to direct his own care based on his values. Withholding information could damage our therapeutic relationship and trust.
I would offer to assess the boy's capacity and, if appropriate, slowly disclose details to him in a supportive manner. This may alleviate the parents' concerns. I would highlight that shared decision-making between us, the parents and the boy would lead to the best care plan.
If after discussion the parents refuse disclosure due to risks like self-harm, I may defer briefly. But the boy's right to direct his care should be paramount, assuming capacity. Over time, I would continue advocating for transparency and autonomy in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner. Respectfully bridging this conflict between parents and patient requires patience and care. My goal is to reach a resolution where the boy receives key information while also addressing family concerns. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
student-830
In this complex situation, I would aim to respect the autonomy of both individuals while remaining mindful of the power imbalance and professional boundaries at play. As a physician in a position of authority, engaging in a sexual relationship with a patient is generally considered unethical, legally prohibited, and condemned by society. I would bring this problematic nature to the physician's and patient's attention - while they are consenting adults, they may not realize the severity of consequences. Since the physician is not directly treating the patient, it may be ethically permissible given their autonomy over personal relationships. However, the physician's role still warrants prudence. I would emphasize the reputational and legal risks so they can make an informed decision, while upholding my duty to caution against potentially abusive dynamics. My goal is to both respect their agency and provide guidance to protect all parties involved.
student-743
I think there are several potential ethical issues in this scenario that should be addressed. The first step would be to speak privately with the attending physician, in a respectful manner, after the exam.
I would start by asking if the patient consented to having students present for the intimate exam. Even if consent was obtained, I felt the patient looked uncomfortable when asked to lift her shirt with us in the room. Sensitive exams require direct consent from the patient, which wasn't clearly obtained here.
I would explain my perspective - that getting the patient's explicit consent and ensuring her comfort should be the priority. However, I would listen openly if the attending has a different viewpoint, given their greater experience. If we cannot agree, I may need to raise the issue to a supervisor, as a last resort.
As a student, I have limited power in this situation. If I felt very uncomfortable with the lack of consent and wished to leave but was refused, that would compound the ethical issues. My goal would be to have an open discussion and come to an understanding, so the patient's preferences regarding consent and privacy are respected in the future. This protects her dignity while also upholding ethical standards in medicine.
student-772
In this complex situation, I would balance respecting the individual's autonomy and recognizing their maturity while adhering to the research team's legal and ethical practices. If the team or local law requires adult consent from someone 18 or older, I would need to explain that to the individual. I would emphasize that I acknowledge their circumstances but must fulfill my obligations by following regulations. This upholds fairness while minimizing harm. My role requires navigating between compassion for their situation and compliance with laws and protocols. I would aim for transparency regarding the consent requirements while validating their capability as much as possible within appropriate boundaries.
student-742
Working at a grocery warehouse was physically demanding. On many days after my shift, I felt like quitting. However, I strived to stay optimistic and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. What motivated me to keep going back was both financial need and the potential opportunities.
I imagined that if I stuck it out, I could build connections with supervisors and managers to eventually move up in the company. This long term thinking kept me from acting on the temptation to quit. With perseverance and networking internally, I was able to gain a Team Leader position which was less labor-intensive than my initial warehouse role picking and packing items.
My optimism drove me to look beyond the present challenges and see a path forward. I learned that it's often worthwhile to persist through difficulty if longer term benefits are possible. By overcoming the physical demands through a positive mindset and relationship building, I was able to advance in that company.
student-779
In this scenario, there are two key stakeholders - elderly people who want to retain their right to drive, and the general public concerned about safety. I understand regulations are in place restricting elderly drivers due to declining vision and cognition, in order to protect public safety. However, I don't believe there should be a blanket rule banning driving at a certain age. Instead, each person's abilities should be evaluated individually. For instance, if an elderly driver can pass vision and reaction time tests and appears to have sufficient cognitive function to drive safely, they should not be categorically prevented from doing so. In medicine, a tailored approach is best rather than a one-size-fits-all policy. Each patient should be assessed based on their specific circumstances and capacities. With an individualized assessment, we can balance the interests of maintaining independence for the elderly while also protecting public welfare.
student-731
This can be a challenging situation. Doctors want to promote life and want their patients to live long and spend time with family. However, we have to consider the patient's feelings and quality of life with a critical condition, which can be extremely difficult. I believe physician-assisted suicide could be ethically appropriate if the patient is making a fully informed decision and is aware of alternatives like palliative care and the impact on loved ones. If after thorough discussion and reflection the patient still feels strongly that assisted suicide is the right choice, and the physician is comfortable proceeding, they should be able to move ahead. The key is ensuring it is truly the patient's autonomous, informed choice, with full comprehension of all options. If those conditions are met, then physician-assisted suicide could be conducted ethically.
student-754
A few years ago, my extended family took a trip to my uncle's secluded lake cottage in Torber Morris, Ontario. We hadn't seen each other in a while, so it was a nice chance to reconnect. There were three families staying in the fairly spacious but isolated cottage.
One night, the parents realized we were low on groceries and decided to go buy snacks so we could watch a movie later. Everyone left and I was alone in the pitch dark cottage. I tried to stay calm but was definitely afraid being there by myself. The nearest neighbor was kilometers away, so I had no way to walk anywhere at night.
After about an hour, I suddenly saw a light through the living room window and heard footsteps. My heart started pounding and I couldn't breathe. I didn't know who could be out there and what might happen. I jumped up from the couch and cautiously looked out the window. To my enormous relief, it was just the parents returning!
This was a terrifying moment, amplified by the remote setting. Being alone in the cottage far from anyone else made every sound seem threatening. While very scary in the moment, it ended up being nothing. But it gave me a lasting appreciation for how isolation can heighten fear and make the imagination run wild.
student-780
There are many reasons I want to be a doctor, but my personal patient experiences were what first made me want to pursue a career in medicine.
When I was 15, I was in and out of the hospital for about a year due to a recurrent parapneumonic effusion. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't the best patient. I was really frustrated because I was a high achieving student athlete. I was missing a lot of school and practice. But I met some amazing doctors who really listened to my worries, my concerns, and they made me feel very understood.
I felt like they saw me for the person that I was rather than the situation I was in, and they could kind of see past my teenage angst, and they would joke around with me about when I would rank their nasal endoscopy skills or talk to me about my biology homework. They also helped to develop a treatment plan that would allow me to get back to my training and get back to school.
Those experiences inspired me to want to do the same for other people. I want to pursue a career in medicine so that I can make other people experiencing chronic illness or other medical issues feel seen and understood, advocated for during these really difficult times.
But with that being said, a career in medicine is very challenging. So I wanted to make sure I explored my options and knew that this was for sure the direction I wanted to go. A couple of years ago, I started volunteering at a family medicine clinic in Stratford. And last year, I completed an internship at a hospital in Peterborough through my program. These clinical experiences really confirmed that this was the path I wanted to take. I honestly can't see myself doing anything other than being a doctor.
Through those experiences, I learned how interesting the human body was. It's so complex. But there are also the problem solving skills and critical thinking skills that are required to develop a treatment plan and diagnose patients. It reminds me a bit of a really complex puzzle, putting all of these pieces together for each patient to create the optimal treatment plan. I just think it's so interesting.
But also, you have this science aspect integrated with the social aspect of medicine. You're collaborating with a healthcare team. I really value being part of a team. I was part of a team sport for many years, and so I really enjoyed that aspect of medicine. But also you're collaborating with patients. I feel like the social aspect of medicine would keep the job really interesting because you could have ten patients who all have the flu, but your interactions with them are going to be so different because every person is unique.
I really enjoy how I can have both the science aspect and the social aspect because I enjoy working with people, and I also enjoy science. I feel like that's kind of unique to medicine.
The last reason why I want to pursue a career in medicine is because it would allow me to be a lifelong learner and continue with research. I'm currently finishing up my Master's degree. I'm very passionate about my research, but with research, sometimes you don't get to be the person to apply your findings.
In medicine, I could continue with research to some extent and continue with some research projects and stay involved in that research community, but actually get to apply those findings to a clinical setting and see the results of that research, which I feel would be so rewarding. And so that's a huge reason why I would like to be a doctor.
student-803
One time I disappointed my parents was during my brief stint on a higher-level soccer team. I had played soccer my whole life in Northern Ontario, where competition was limited. One year, I was good enough to make a team with kids a year older than me, around ages 12-13. This team traveled most weekends to play tournaments in Southern Ontario, about a 5 hour drive each way.
Being a year younger at that developmental age meant I was less physically mature and lacked confidence compared to my older teammates. As a result, I hardly got any playing time during the tournaments. At first my parents reassured me, proud I even made the team. But I could see it wear on them that they were spending entire weekends traveling just to watch me sit on the bench.
To ease their disappointment, I reevaluated my relationship with the sport. I loved soccer and the chance to compete, but wanted to enjoy playing more, and have my parents enjoy watching me play. So the next year, I dropped back down to my age group. I became captain, played entire games, and had much more fun.
While it was good to get that higher-level experience, considering how I felt and accounting for my parents' experience led me to make a change. Consolidating onto an age-appropriate team ended up being better for me and my family. I was able to have a more fulfilling soccer career moving forward.
student-764
In this situation with my sister, I would communicate the factors of risk and reliability to consider. There are some red flags around the health of the person receiving the embryo implantation and their capacity to sustain a pregnancy. We'd need to assess if they are being properly cared for and could provide a healthy environment for fetal development.
This reminds me of an experience I had when looking to buy a cheap used car on Kijiji during a financially difficult time. At first glance, the low price seemed perfect. But when I mapped the seller's address, it was a sketchy, secluded barn rather than a house. Despite the initial appeal, observational evidence revealed too many risks and unreliability factors. So I decided not to go through with it.
Similarly here, we need to carefully evaluate the safety and wellbeing of the person carrying the pregnancy before agreeing to this in vitro fertilization. Can we be fully confident this person is healthy enough to support a baby and provide proper care through gestation? The goal should be minimizing risks and maximizing the reliability of a healthy fetal environment. Just like I avoided the questionable used car purchase, proceeding requires fully addressing these concerns first.
student-781
All right, so the question is, if I was on the admissions committee, what would be the most important thing I would look for in a candidate? I think the most important attribute to become a doctor is actually empathy. So I will really want to look for an empathic person because if people are not empathetic and they become doctors, then patients can be really upset, they can be angry towards the physician and the physician just won't understand what's going on.
Also, if they don't deliver news in an empathic manner or if they don't feel for the patient, then I think it can really damage the trust relationship that the patient has with the physician and overall just damage the patient's treatment. I also think that a doctor's job is to do the most good and the least harm. And if they're not empathetic, then I think it would eventually just hurt the patient more than do good because they won't feel respected, they won't feel like their feelings matter, they won't feel like their feelings are taken into consideration and they'll just feel like an object to the physician. So I think that's really important.
I would also look for candidates who have good communication skills because I think it's important for a doctor to be able to communicate clearly and also simply what the diagnosis is so that the patient understands exactly what he will be going through.
So yes, I think those are two very important factors. Also, I think one of the most important things is to be motivated to become a doctor. Because I think that if future physicians don't want to go into medicine and they're only forced to by their parents or they feel social pressure, then I think it can actually be really harmful to the patients and society in general, because physicians, like I said before, have to be empathetic, have to have good communication. But they also need to want to do this because this is a very stressful, I think, job, and it requires a lot of dedication and a lot of university time.
And I think that if you're not motivated enough, it will actually make you become a more frustrated person. And no patient likes a frustrated doctor because it's easy for a patient to know when the doctor is actually annoyed with you or disrespects you or does not value you. So I think if you don't want to go into medicine, then it's probably the worst career path you could take if you're not sure of what you want to do because there are so many important things to look for before being a doctor.
That's pretty much it. But I would also never neglect anyone in the admissions process because I think that everyone has their own skill set to show and to put forward. And even though I said what I thought were the most important attributes, I would also consider many others. And I would also let the interviewees surprise me. And if I find something that I find particularly interesting or a characteristic trait of a person that I think would make a good doctor, then I would not hesitate to take that person into the university.
student-799
In this scenario, my best friend tells me that he is a compulsive gambler and he asks for my money after discussing the broad implications of gambling on society.
The first thing that I would do is gather as much information as possible. I will try to ask about his personal circumstances. They mentioned they don't have any money to buy even food - can they elaborate on that? What do they mean by no money? Are they in the negatives or barely getting by?
In addition, are they in any form of danger? As of now, they mentioned needing to pay back loan sharks. Are they currently pressuring my friend or potentially threatening them?
Third, if they don't have money now, how are they affording housing? If renting or paying a mortgage, how will they pay next month?
Lastly, I have to provide empathy, listen non-judgmentally. Gambling addiction is like any addiction - it's very hard to quit, not just a matter of willpower but brain connections. So I want to support my friend without judgment.
With that in mind, it's important to think about my friend's family. Have they reached out to family for money? Do they know about the gambling? How is their relationship after finding out? I want to consider their wellbeing and how I can support them too.
Lastly, what kind of societal help has my friend sought out? For example, if they can't afford housing, have they reached out for housing aid, addiction counseling, financial aid? What societal help have they received or reached out for?
So after gathering information, it's important to decide on my actions. I want to help my friend but not feed the gambling behavior. I will ask them to elaborate on using the money to "win it all back" - does that mean more gambling?
I will let them know I'm happy to help pay back the loan sharks so they aren't in danger, but won't support gambling as a way out. So if they agree to pay back loans only, I will give the money. Then I'll try to connect them to addiction resources, financial aid, housing aid, etc. to guide them away from gambling and towards sustainability.
That concludes my answer. Please let me know if you have any follow up questions. Thank you.
student-809
This is a difficult situation, so we need to consider both perspectives - that of the doctor and the government health insurance program.
I believe it is unethical for doctors to recommend circumcisions without clearly informing patients of the risks and downsides, since this is not a medically necessary procedure. Doctors should provide patients with full information about the risks and cons so they can make a fully informed, autonomous decision.
On the other hand, the government insurance program (OHIP) is no longer covering circumcisions, which fails to take into account people who need the surgery for religious reasons. The government should be more aware of religious beliefs requiring circumcision.
A better approach could be to target coverage for those who need it for religious reasons, while also informing the general public that routine circumcision is unnecessary and carries some risks. This way we maintain patient autonomy but provide access when warranted by religious belief.
The key is fully informing all patients and balancing access with education on risks and benefits. This allows patients to make autonomous choices while targeting coverage to those with religious need.
student-720
I believe this is a complicated issue with many perspectives on universal basic income. There are pros and cons, but I am more in favor of it as I believe people should be able to provide for themselves and their families.
As a physician, this career is about advocating for others, and the ultimate form of advocacy is ensuring people can provide for and advocate for themselves. A basic income is essential for people to be able to do that.
student-815
This is a difficult situation because as a physician, I always want to ensure that the patient, whoever they're associated with, is experiencing and having competent care, but also that they feel comfortable with the care that they are given. For them to feel uncomfortable is an injustice. As a physician, I would first in this situation, if they're talking to the supervisor, ask the supervisor if they would be comfortable enough meeting with me again. If they are, I would say that as a physician, my primary responsibility is towards the patient. I will do whatever I can in my power to ensure that your patient care experience is as comfortable as possible. I would ask if they're willing to meet with me in order to discuss how we can improve this relationship and what I can do to ensure that the patient is not only fully autonomous but is receiving competent and comfortable care.
If they are comfortable enough meeting with me, then I would meet with the patient and their family. I would say to the family that I will do whatever I can in my power to ensure that you receive competent and comfortable care. I would address any concerns that they may have. I would ask if they were willing to continue with me as a physician, and if they believed that even though I address these issues, if they believed that they would have a more comfortable care experience with someone else, I would put them in contact with another physician, or I would ask my supervisor to put them in contact with another physician.
Although in a perfect world, if I was being completely objective and there weren't any issues with the care, then I would want to continue with them being their physician. But if they believe they'd be more comfortable with someone else, the primary responsibility as a healthcare provider is that you give your patients the most comfortable experience that they can have. I would ensure that they are with a physician which can provide them with the care and comfort that they require.
student-819
This is an incredibly difficult situation and likely the worst thing a physician could experience - seeing your patient die after discharge. The family's question about why you discharged the patient is completely valid.
First, I would avoid becoming defensive. I would review the case notes, surgery recording if available, and consult other physicians involved in the patient's care to see if any mistakes or oversights occurred. I would do this quickly to get answers for the family.
I would arrange a meeting with the family soon after to express my deepest condolences and give them space to share their concerns and frustrations. I would explain my rationale for discharging the patient based on her status at the time. If my review found no issues with her care, I would communicate we discharged her without expecting this outcome.
I would do everything possible to understand what happened and be open to an autopsy with their consent. Most importantly, I would not absolve myself of potential blame. I would offer transparent theories about what could have occurred and potential solutions or ways to rectify the situation, even if unlikely to fully assuage their concerns.
I would aim to be as open and honest as possible about what went wrong if anything did, or explain our reasoning if not. I would discuss what could have been done differently in hindsight and validate their concerns. There are many potential approaches, but the priorities are avoiding defensiveness, answering all questions, looking for more answers, and being transparent.
This is devastating for the family, and no explanation will be fully satisfying. But I would work to help them get the answers they need while expressing empathy for their loss. Admitting fault if applicable and working to prevent recurrence is critical after an outcome like this.
student-770
To start off, I would immediately acknowledge the owner's and customer's complaint over the subpar quality of the food. The rationale behind my first action is to hold myself and our team accountable. After acknowledging and addressing the problem, I would speak with the two employees about our performance and how we could improve our cooking techniques. I feel that reprimanding the two underage employees is unnecessary due to the potential impact on morale and their trust in me as a manager. Additionally, I would need to gather information from my team as to why they could not cook the meals properly - was it due to how busy they were, are we currently understaffed during a lunch rush, or did I not train them properly on how to cook a burger? To conclude, I would first apologize to our franchisee on our subpar quality for the last 30 minutes. Then I would inform and retrain my staff or make adjustments to better accommodate our workload.
student-717
Throughout my life, I have helped care for my dad who has multiple sclerosis. His condition started worsening when I was around four or five years old, so I began assisting him at a young age. This experience has greatly developed my empathy. Even when my dad didn't explicitly ask for help, I could sense what he needed whether it was getting comfortable in bed, sitting up properly, or getting a glass of water. I learned to pay close attention to pick up on nonverbal cues. Through caring for my dad, I've become very attuned to others' health struggles and can truly empathize with their situations.
There were also times when my dad's condition affected his mental health. During these difficult periods, I made an effort to communicate with him, show empathy, and reassure him that there is more to enjoy in life. He has told me this support helped tremendously, and now he is much happier and positive. I love bringing smiles to people's faces, so making my dad laugh and boosting his spirits is very rewarding.
This experience taught me the importance of being there for others because you never know the impact your words and actions may have. I've learned to balance my own needs with caring for loved ones. As a future medical student, these skills of empathy, communication, and trust-building will be invaluable in developing rapport with patients. When patients feel heard, understood, and able to trust their provider, they are more likely to follow treatment recommendations. My lifelong experience caring for my dad has prepared me well for relating to future patients with compassion.
student-776
I believe the issue of medical programs mandating a 2-3 year stay in rural northern Ontario is very important. The shortage of physicians in rural areas remains an ongoing debate that needs immediate attention, primarily due to the difficulty rural residents face accessing quality care amidst staffing shortages. In my opinion, integrating this mandatory rural stint after graduation could have both positives and negatives.
First, it would significantly increase the physician presence in these areas. However, it risks physicians leaving to return to urbanized cities or suburbs nearer their families once the stint ends. This could cause physician numbers to spike then plummet. There's no guarantee of retention past 2-3 years. Yet some may find rural practice unexpectedly rewarding and remain. Overall, predicting an individual physician's actions is difficult given personal circumstances.
Healthcare costs could also fluctuate if physician turnover is high, as lower staffing often increases prices. However, a continuous influx, even if temporary, can positively impact rural infrastructure and policies by adding expertise.
In summary, the long-term implications past 2-3 years are uncertain. Further research into effective, sustainable solutions for rural retention is needed. While complex with many factors, deeper investigation and resources could drive real improvements in rural care. Mandated rural stints could help but require careful implementation to avoid instability.
student-762
In this complex scenario, I would aim to balance public safety and the autonomy of elderly drivers. As someone living with grandparents, I understand the importance of independent transportation for convenience and self-reliance. However, certain health conditions associated with aging may pose risks. Rather than broad bans, I believe driving ability should be assessed case-by-case, perhaps with annual check-ins. This upholds seniors' freedom while addressing concerns. Driving represents vital independence for many older adults. At the same time, declining visual, cognitive or physical health could endanger others if not evaluated properly. Individualized assessments seem the fairest compromise between maintaining autonomy and ensuring road safety. With a thoughtful system of evaluation, we can preserve mobility and dignity for seniors while protecting the broader public.
student-753
In such a scenario, my priority would be to ensure transparency and come to a collective agreement through careful deliberation with the other judges. Both presentations have very similar, on-par content, making it difficult to choose a sole winner. However, there are other factors the judges and I could consider. One is the delivery and enthusiasm or professionalism of the presenter. Another is the recency and relevance of the proposed solutions to the specific health issue and location of our event. For example, the presentation on access to primary care addresses a pressing issue in our current location. We could also consider the practicality and feasibility of the solutions - something with more profound real-world implications might meet our criteria. By discussing these factors, the other judges and I could thoughtfully decide on a winner through open deliberation.
student-760
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