ABSTRACT
Student doctors are in the unique position of being a hybrid of a lay person and a professional. You may think of yourself as a lay person but doctors may expect you to be professional. Patients very often assume that you have more knowledge and ability than you actually have and may relate to you more easily than to the qualified doctors. Sometimes you are taking a history or taking blood as part of the care team and at other times you are merely an observer. This odd situation raises a number of ethical concerns about the role you should have in the hospital and what information you should give to patients and relatives. Students who do not know what to do in an uncomfortable situation often adopt a policy of silence. This can happen because they feel unsure about the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, or, when learning practical procedures, are unsure how much they are allowed to do. It is important to recognize these concerns and deal with them as they arise. If you can decide where you stand on certain issues you are less likely to grow cynical through feeling that you cannot speak out.
