Studying medicine with a criminal record

Abstract

The question as to whether a student with a criminal conviction can study medicine (July 12, p 36)1The LancetCan a student with a criminal conviction study medicine?.Lancet. 2008; 372: 88Scopus (1) Google Scholar can be answered with a resounding yes. Canada's most famous physician, Sir William Osler, was acceptable to McGill despite a criminal conviction. After a cruel and potentially dangerous prank on the school matron, he and other boys had been charged with assault, probably spent a few nights in jail, and were fined with costs.2Bliss M William Osler: a life in medicine. University of Toronto Press, Toronto1999: 36-37Google Scholar Thus a student applicant with a criminal record should be assessed with care, but not necessarily banned from admission.I declare that I have no conflict of interest. The question as to whether a student with a criminal conviction can study medicine (July 12, p 36)1The LancetCan a student with a criminal conviction study medicine?.Lancet. 2008; 372: 88Scopus (1) Google Scholar can be answered with a resounding yes. Canada's most famous physician, Sir William Osler, was acceptable to McGill despite a criminal conviction. After a cruel and potentially dangerous prank on the school matron, he and other boys had been charged with assault, probably spent a few nights in jail, and were fined with costs.2Bliss M William Osler: a life in medicine. University of Toronto Press, Toronto1999: 36-37Google Scholar Thus a student applicant with a criminal record should be assessed with care, but not necessarily banned from admission. I declare that I have no conflict of interest.