New documentary reveals the emotional and mental toll medical students face on the long road to becoming doctors

Rochester, New York – A new documentary is taking viewers inside the demanding world of medical education, offering a rare look at what it truly takes to become a physician. The film, titled “The Healer’s Journey,” follows five students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry as they navigate the pressures, doubts, and defining moments of medical school.

Medical training has long been known for its intensity. Students are expected to absorb massive amounts of information in a short period of time, a process often compared to drinking from a fire hose. Beyond mastering science and clinical knowledge, they must develop resilience, emotional strength, and a sense of purpose strong enough to carry them through the profession’s demands.

The documentary was created by Michael “Mick” Krasner, a physician with UR Medicine, alongside Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Dave Marshall of Blue Sky Project. Together, they set out to capture the human side of medical training—something often hidden behind textbooks, exams, and hospital routines.

Rather than focusing only on lectures or technical training, the film explores the deeper motivations that lead students to medicine in the first place. It asks why people commit themselves to such a demanding path and how their experiences during medical school shape the kind of doctors they eventually become.

“We wanted to know why people chose to become doctors and how this early stage of their medical education, medical school, shapes their professional identity,” said Krasner, professor emeritus of Medicine. He practiced Primary Care Internal Medicine for decades before retiring in 2022, and is co-director of UR Medicine Mindful Practice in Medicine programs.

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Krasner said the project also examines influences beyond the formal curriculum. While students learn anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical skills in the classroom, their identity as physicians is shaped by far more subtle forces.

“We looked at how their identity is shaped by factors that are beyond what we call in education the formal curriculum—the things we want to teach them. Their identities are simultaneously being formed by the hidden curriculum—a reflection of the medical culture and the world at large and how they find their through it.”

Throughout the film, viewers see students working through their training in multiple settings—from the anatomy lab to hospital wards where real patients and real responsibility raise the stakes. The documentary captures not only their determination, but also their moments of uncertainty.

In addition to classroom and hospital scenes, the filmmakers included footage from a group trek near the end of medical school along the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route in Spain known for inspiring reflection and personal transformation. The journey provides a stark contrast to the intensity of academic life, offering space for introspection about the future and the meaning of healing.

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The film also features personal video diaries recorded by the students themselves. These candid moments reveal the emotional roller coaster behind the white coat—joy when things go well, frustration when expectations are not met, and the quiet loneliness that sometimes accompanies the pursuit of excellence.

“Being part of this project was interesting and now I realize how we were able to be open during our vlogging (video blog.) It was a safe and secure environment, and we could be transparent and vulnerable,” Choe said.

Students in the documentary speak openly about the challenges of constant exams and evaluations. At the same time, they highlight the importance of hands-on clinical learning and mentorship, which often provide the most meaningful lessons.

Experts in medical education from around the world also appear in the film, offering insight into new ways of preparing future doctors. Their perspectives suggest that while the science of medicine continues to evolve, so too must the methods used to train those who practice it.

By the end, “The Healer’s Journey” offers something more than a portrait of medical school. It presents a story about identity, perseverance, and the emotional realities behind one of society’s most respected professions—reminding viewers that before doctors become healers, they must first endure a transformative journey of their own.