Health Science Reviews

By Haydn John

Having had a very eventful semester, I travelled back home to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. Much of my time at home was spent playing with my youngest brother, who is five years old and a bit of a “laat lammetjie”. He has grown significantly while I’ve been away in Cape Town, and I am always enamoured by his playful nature and amazed by how much he has learned since I was last home.

One of the most striking observations I made during my time at home was his binary way of thinking. He perceives the world in terms of absolutes: good and bad, black and white, with no grey areas in between. This realization reminded me of my own cognitive patterns during my early academic years, particularly in the sciences. From his age through junior and high school, and even into my early university years studying medicine, I too viewed the world in a similar binary fashion. The pre-clinical years of the medicine curriculum (years 1-3) reinforce this black-and-white thinking, although I am aware that many students experience a shift in perspective during their clinical years (years 4-6). This absolutist or binary thinking is certainly helpful in memorising large volumes of information and allows doctors to find a solution in a short space of time when decisiveness is lifesaving.

I have noticed a significant change in my own perspective during my Honours year. Exposure to scientific writing and reading at a much greater depth than before has led me to see the nuances and complexities in the field of biomedical science. The certainty I once held about medical knowledge has started to fade into shades of grey. I have learned to read scientific literature with a critical eye, and to be vigilant for biases and potential conflicts of interest. Through this process, I have come to understand that being a scientist inherently requires acknowledging, embracing, and systematically addressing the grey areas that don’t yet have answers. In employing this line of thinking, I have seen my outlook on science change into one of admiration and curiosity. 

For now, I will continue to enjoy the simplicity of my brother’s games and his straightforward way of thinking. I will gladly play the “baddie” (since he never wants to be the bad guy) and let him chase me around. At the same time, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that come with grappling with the complex ‘greys’ of science. These experiences have already begun to influence my approach to scientific research and clinical practice, encouraging me to embrace uncertainty and seek out the grey areas as opportunities for growth and discovery.