Acts of dishonesty: why medical students should think twice before acting unethically

The temptations of doctors to act inappropriately are many and well documented. They include, among others, the temptation to put financial gain before patient wellbeing, to cut corners to reduce workload, to cover up errors for self-preservation, to speak ill of patients and colleagues in moments of frustration, and to engage in improper relationships with patients. Far less discussed are the temptations towards wrongdoing of medical students which, although usually less dramatic in nature, are nonetheless rife. Medical students are for the most part high achieving students, accustomed to success and in fear of failure. At medical school, they tend to have one overriding goal, which is to pass their exams and qualify as doctors. The desire to pass is so intense that it leaves them prone to the temptation of wrongdoing in order to secure a pass. As an example, solely from the domain of dishonesty, I have had medical students tell me of the following …