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A member of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana, Professor Simon Naider, has urged medical professionals and student doctors to communicate properly with patients. He said relating with patients was one of the most essential and powerful tools of a successful physician. Prof. Naider made the call when he addressed the White Coat Ceremony of the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCC-SMS), to mark the transition of 61 Level 400 students from lecture hall-based to patient-based learning. White Coat The ceremony, the sixth since its introduction by the university, is a ritual in medical schools that involves a formal robing of students in doctors� traditional wear: the white coat. The students were robed in white coats by their mentors in the profession, attracting applause and cheers from relatives and parents of the students and seniors in the profession, after which the students took the UCC-SMS oath. Prof. Naider underscored the significance of the white coat, saying, �It is the robe and symbol of our profession. Wear it proudly.� He reminded the students that success in medicine was dependent on a set of core competencies, which included patient care, medical knowledge and professionalism. Humility The Dean of the UCC-SMS, Prof. Francis Ofei, advised the student doctors to be humble, selfless and focus on patients who would be entrusted in their care. He also advised the students to effectively combine their book knowledge with what they would learn from their patients and cautioned them to respect the privacy and information about their patients. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. John Nelson Buah, urged the students to uphold their oath, show compassion to patients, remain humble and remember the sacrifices their parents were making for their education, and strive for excellence. Unity The Director of the Central Regional Health Directorate, Dr Samuel Tetteh Kwashie, who presided over the ceremony, urged the student doctors to work together with other hospital staff, seek clarification on issues on which they lacked understanding and also see themselves as ambassadors of healing