The Dean of the University of Cape Coast (UCC)�School of Medical Science (SMS), Professor Francis Ofei has admonished�student doctors not to see the medical practice as a business but rather a�calling.�
Quoting Sir William Osler, a renowned medical practitioner, to buttress his�admonition, he said �medicine is an art, not a trade, a calling, not a�business,� adding that students doctors, like professional doctors, must be�humble, selfless and focus on patients entrusted in their care.
Prof. Ofei was speaking at the Sixth White Coat Ceremony held at the�University to signify the transition of 61 level 400 medical students from�the study of pre-clinical to clinical health sciences.�
The white coat ceremony , a ritual in medical school that involves a formal�robing of students in a doctor�s traditional wear; the white coat,� was�organized by the UCCSMS, the first and only medical school that performs the�ceremony in the country.
Prof. Ofei further advised the students to effectively combine their book�knowledge with what they would learn from their parents, but cautioned them�to respect the privacy and information of their patients.
Prof. Simon Naaedar, a member of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana,�stated that success in medicine was dependent on ability, availability and�affability and a set of core competencies which included patient care,�medical knowledge and professionalism.
He observed that� medicine attracts� the brightest and best from senior high�schools but asserted that being the brightest in sciences� does not make one��a good physician, but rather the respect and compassion shown to patients,�family, lecturers and� society.
He also advised students doctors and other medical professionals to�communicate properly with their clients since according to him, relating to�patients was one of the most essential and powerful tools of a successful�physician.
�The white coat is the robe and symbol of our profession. Wear it proudly,��Prof. Naaedar remarked.
The Pro Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof. John� Nelson Buah, urged the students�to� uphold their oath, show compassion to patients , remain humble and be�reminded� of� sacrifices their parents were making in their education, to�strive for excellence.
The Director of the Central Regional Health Directorate, Dr. Samuel Tetteh�Kwashie, who presided, urged the student doctors to work together with other�hospital staff, seek clarification on issues they did not understand and also�see themselves as ambassadors of healing.
The students took the SMS Medical Students Oath which read in part, �I will�practice to the highest standards of conduct by doing what is best for my�patients and allowing neither greed nor stinginess, nor desire for great�reputation to corrupt me�
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