Medicína není jen o výkonu, ale i o empatii a respektu k člověku
66 POSITIV 1/2026
ZDRAVOTNICTVÍ
Studying medicine is not easy. Did anything about it
surprise you?
For me, it was a major turning point. I moved
from the friendly environment of my school into a large
and rather anonymous system with high performance
demands. However, during my studies I also formed
very close friendships with people who still understand
me today and support me in difficult moments.
How did you manage university? Do you have any
advice for students?
They should believe in themselves. Medicine is difficult
and people may encounter very harsh criticism. It is
important not to lose confidence because of a single
failure or someone’s opinion. It is also important
to maintain healthy self-respect.
Graduation does not mark the end of a young
doctor’s journey. What does a typical month look
like for you?
At the moment I am preparing for an exam known as
the “internal medicine core training exam,” and in a few
years I will take my board certification exam. Alongside
my regular work in the internal medicine department
at the Moravian-Silesian Hospital in Opava, I also have
5 twelve- to twenty-four-hour shifts per month, so it is
quite time-consuming. However, a supportive team
and department leadership are a great help.
Empathy can easily be lost in medicine. Where did
you find it within yourself?
I believe at the 1
st
International School of Ostrava, we
were mainly guided towards empathy and respect
for others. I consider that extremely important.
For example, when a patient arrives at the emergency
department at night with something that may appear
trivial from my perspective and could have waited
until morning, it is important to remember that they may
genuinely be worried about their health and should not
be judged for it. That is also why I look back on my time
at grammar school so fondly.
What do you consider to be the greatest benefit
of your time at grammar school for your personal
and professional development?
The school showed me that things can be done
differently than through the simple approach of “you
must” and “you must not.” That is also why I chose
to work in a smaller hospital after my studies, where
a supportive team environment exists and people help
each other.
What would you say to yourself ten years ago?
Keep your curiosity, empathy, and faith in your own
abilities.
What is the hardest part of being a doctor –
and what keeps you going?
The most difficult aspects are stress and the great
responsibility, especially within a system that has
long been understaffed. On the other hand, I enjoy
the diversity of internal medicine — every day is
different and brings new challenges.
Medicine is evolving rapidly. What challenges do you
expect in the coming years?
The population is aging and medicine is becoming
increasingly specialised. However, I believe it is
important to see the patient as a whole and think not
only about what can be treated, but also about what is
truly best for that person.
Monika ŠevčíkováDominika Rašťáková