“If You Want to Be a Doctor, Be a Human Being First“

`If you want to be a doctor, be a human being first.`

An examination that tests the medical knowledge, ability, and the character needed to be a doctor will begin in Japan next year. The test is `a standard exam that assesses the student before starting clinical practice.` and will be required of medical and dental students. Most of the medical schools are planning to participate in the exam.

The exam is divided into one section that tests medical knowledge and problem-solving ability, and one section that tests the students` attitude toward patients. The second section is centrally concerned with assessing whether the student treats the patient with respect and inspires confidence.

The participating schools are planning to block students who fail the test from starting their clinical practice and to require re-taking a part of the coursework. This is an additional exam to the national medical standard examination. One university ran a trial of the test and found that 5 of 100 students scored high in medical knowledge but failed in the character section. This exam comes at a time when several university hospitals in Japan have had mishaps in prescribing medicine, confusing patients, and generally losing the public`s confidence.

Young-Ee Lee yes202@donga.com