Hippocrates

Benjamin Barois begins his medical internship in the department run by his father. He is eager and idealistic, quickly entering the hospital's tough, unseen layer of work. He faces long hours, the pressure of the ward, and the informal codes of medical life.

Benjamin meets Abdel Rezzak, a fellow intern from Algeria, and their relationship quickly becomes tense. They navigate the rough realities of night shifts and competing expectations. The clash reveals the fragile line between hope and burnout.

During a late shift, Benjamin visits Monsieur Lemoine, a homeless patient with abdominal pains, and tries to offer comfort while prescribing analgesics. A malfunctioning ECG device prevents him from performing the test, leaving uncertainty about the diagnosis. The event foreshadows the consequences of a missed procedure.

The next morning the patient dies, and Benjamin is summoned to review the case. Under pressure, he admits he could not perform the ECG and is told to claim he did if questioned. He reveals to Abdel that he told Lemoine's widow that Abdel had handled the care, straining their friendship.

Benjamin and Abdel treat Madame Richard, an elderly woman with metastatic cancer. The team debates extending treatment versus comfort. Abdel pushes to use a morphine pump to ease pain, while concerns about appetite and overall viability mount. Dr. Denormandy weighs in, and they decide to remove the morphine pump to balance relief with risk.

Late one night, Madame Richard loses consciousness and resuscitation is started. When her family arrives, the interns discuss whether to end her life under the Leonetti law. The family ultimately accepts the decision, highlighting the moral weight of the moment.

The episode triggers a disciplinary process. A hearing with senior medical staff is convened to examine the interns' actions. The outcome favors Benjamin, with no punishment due to age and emotional strain, while Abdel receives a formal misconduct notice.

Following the hearing, Benjamin drinks and returns to the hospital, confessing failures in care. He disrupts wards and equipment before fleeing the premises. The act marks a turning point in his relationship with Abdel and the hospital.

In the morning, news arrives that Madame Lemoine is suing the hospital for malpractice. The staff rally against the director and seek Abdel’s sanction to be lifted. Their effort succeeds.

Benjamin recovers from the ordeal and learns that Abdel will be able to continue practicing. The two men reconcile, and Abdel transfers to the neurology service to pursue his career.

The experience leaves them with a sharper sense of duty and the fragility of life. They renew their commitment to patient care despite systemic strain, reflecting on what happened and how to improve.

Abdel moves to the neurology service and finds renewed passion for medicine, pursuing his career in France. Benjamin remains dedicated, shaped by the events and their reconciliation.