Paul Ramsey wrote a book, Patient as Person, which I highly recommend. As well, Norman Cousins wrote Anatomy of an Illness about the importance of laughter in the therapeutic relationship. Yes, physicians must be committed to competence which requires a lifetime commitment to learning but having a high regard for your patients and their families (I am a pediatrician) is centrally important.
I'd tell the enterprising student that a medical degree is just a piece of paper, being a physician is just a job, and most of your training will be a series of hurdles that you'll have to get over in order to actually do whatever it is you're going to end up doing.
I'd also tell them that if they think that being a doctor makes you "better" in some grand sense than other people, they're mistaken.
I start medical school on Monday. Thank you for the advice and all your other articles. Please keep writing, and we’ll continue reading. Many thanks from this MS-0
What a great chuckle I got from the “sunshine folder.” What an abhorrent name - and yet when I finally went through my office belongings I threw in the attic for 4 years after my health took me out, guess what got saved? It is comforting to be ok with remembering the good things we accomplished for the days we beat ourselves up for our mistakes.
Interestingly I threw everything (or gave it) away from my music days prior to my second career. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of the hit songs, the gold and platinum records that my kids now have, and guest appearances on others’ records. But nothing was more satisfying than seeing a picture of a child born to a recovering addict who struggled, and is in remission.
Adam you are truly a gifted writer/thinker . In a few paragraphs you articulated much of the mystery of why some of us practice medicine . I practiced pediatrics in the same small town for 40 years ....your essay brought tears to my eyes that I can no longer do so.
I love the sunshine folder. I regret that I've lost one of my most treasured medical possessions during a move. A patient whom I thought I had a good relationship with suddenly no-showed two pre-scheduled appointments. The explanation came out when I received a handwritten letter from him from inside the county jail. He'd been locked on but would be there to see me when he was out in 6 months. He didn't mind being locked up, but what he felt most guilty about was no-showing our appointments.
News was coming from him sooner than I'd see him, however - he'd referred his cellmate to me for substance abuse treatment, and his cellmate would be out next month.
Great points to pass on. I would add the need to understand this is a customer service job so you need to know you like interacting with people. If the question is should I do research in a lab or wait tables in a restaurant, I recommend restaurant work. There you will get real experience with people from all walks of life just like in healthcare. There’s a hundred different ways people want their eggs cooked and the same with how they want there healthcare done.
I am the daughter and mom of doctors. You are teaching me not only to appreciate both of them, but to appreciate my own doctors and hopefully be a better patient. Thank you. May God continue to use you and bless you!
Paul Ramsey wrote a book, Patient as Person, which I highly recommend. As well, Norman Cousins wrote Anatomy of an Illness about the importance of laughter in the therapeutic relationship. Yes, physicians must be committed to competence which requires a lifetime commitment to learning but having a high regard for your patients and their families (I am a pediatrician) is centrally important.
I'd tell the enterprising student that a medical degree is just a piece of paper, being a physician is just a job, and most of your training will be a series of hurdles that you'll have to get over in order to actually do whatever it is you're going to end up doing.
I'd also tell them that if they think that being a doctor makes you "better" in some grand sense than other people, they're mistaken.
Excellent, such great advice, so beautifully written.
I start medical school on Monday. Thank you for the advice and all your other articles. Please keep writing, and we’ll continue reading. Many thanks from this MS-0
Adam this was a great listen. So pure so honest and made me smile.
What a great chuckle I got from the “sunshine folder.” What an abhorrent name - and yet when I finally went through my office belongings I threw in the attic for 4 years after my health took me out, guess what got saved? It is comforting to be ok with remembering the good things we accomplished for the days we beat ourselves up for our mistakes.
Interestingly I threw everything (or gave it) away from my music days prior to my second career. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of the hit songs, the gold and platinum records that my kids now have, and guest appearances on others’ records. But nothing was more satisfying than seeing a picture of a child born to a recovering addict who struggled, and is in remission.
A caveat - mine was a sunshine BOX!
Adam you are truly a gifted writer/thinker . In a few paragraphs you articulated much of the mystery of why some of us practice medicine . I practiced pediatrics in the same small town for 40 years ....your essay brought tears to my eyes that I can no longer do so.
You will always be Doc, or whatever name you went by, to those adult kids who will always tie their youth to your care.
Such fabulous advice. Couldn't agree more.
I love the sunshine folder. I regret that I've lost one of my most treasured medical possessions during a move. A patient whom I thought I had a good relationship with suddenly no-showed two pre-scheduled appointments. The explanation came out when I received a handwritten letter from him from inside the county jail. He'd been locked on but would be there to see me when he was out in 6 months. He didn't mind being locked up, but what he felt most guilty about was no-showing our appointments.
News was coming from him sooner than I'd see him, however - he'd referred his cellmate to me for substance abuse treatment, and his cellmate would be out next month.
This letter means more to me than my diploma.
Great points to pass on. I would add the need to understand this is a customer service job so you need to know you like interacting with people. If the question is should I do research in a lab or wait tables in a restaurant, I recommend restaurant work. There you will get real experience with people from all walks of life just like in healthcare. There’s a hundred different ways people want their eggs cooked and the same with how they want there healthcare done.
Having both worked in a psychopharmacology lab and a running store prior to medical school, I'm inclined to agree.
I am the daughter and mom of doctors. You are teaching me not only to appreciate both of them, but to appreciate my own doctors and hopefully be a better patient. Thank you. May God continue to use you and bless you!