Why is Bedside Manner Important?
Even though providers often must jump for one room to the next, it is important that they take the time to learn about each patient’s individual needs.
Consults
Through the course of medical education, students learn to call for “consults” from various medical specialties. Yet, consults can come in many forms — from social work, nutrition, law, ethics and policy. There is also much to be learned from premedical and post-bacc students, who may be walking into medicine with a fresh set of eyes. “Consults” invites experienced non-clinicians and undergraduates to contribute pieces relevant to the medical student community.
Guest Writer
Purdue University
Anna studied nursing at Purdue University. Anna enjoys finding and tasting new spots to eat and spending time with her dog, Charlie. Anna works for Capson Physicians Insurance.
A New Approach to Medicine: Prevention with Nutrition
Nutritional education, as an appendage to conventional medical education, has the power to close the gap by equipping physicians with more well-rounded knowledge to help patients manage the more unmanageable conditions.
Health Policy Exists Wherever Health Exists
Health policy can feel like 2018’s hottest topic and many students are looking for a way to learn more. I encourage students to think beyond the policy they see in Washington, D.C. to the laws governing their communities.
The Undergraduate Health Insurance Plan
Universities have been profiting off students due to the capitalistic and flawed nature of our health care system. Regional hospital networks prevent students from utilizing their insurance elsewhere. With nowhere else to turn, they are forced to pay high premiums for the university plan.
Passion in the Operating Room
When Dr. T shook my hand goodbye for the day’s observation, I shook her hand back and said to myself, “Yes, this is what I want to do.”
Heart to Heart: Empathy in Medicine
Ever since that day in the grocery store, I have volunteered at least once a month for other senior citizens. I get to know their stories and try to share the understanding that I have gained with the world.
More Than Our Genes: The Interplay of Genetics and Personal Responsibility
Fifteen percent of Americans still smoke. Seventy percent of Americans are obese or overweight. Many Americans engage in risky health behaviors that negatively affect their overall wellness.
The Case Against Single-Payer Health Care
As the American health care system continues to seemingly spend more and get ranked lower than other developed countries, many progressives have suggested a shift to single-payer health care as a solution.
The Grind Doesn’t Define You: Giving and Growing in a World of Negativity
It’s ironic that the medical field is arguably the most humane profession, yet we put our residents and physicians-in-training through such pain and suffering.
The Thinning Veil and Humanity in Anatomy
Autumn has been my favorite season since moving to Oregon four years ago from the dry, unchanging desert landscape of Las Vegas, Nevada. The freeway towards my class dips into a valley surrounded by broad-leafed trees with ferns growing near the base of their trunks.
“You Don’t Know How I’m Feeling”: A Plea for Death with Dignity
“That’s rubbish.” My new friend — I’ll call her Sylvia — lay supine on her bed, staring bleary-eyed at the ceiling. White bedsheets swathed her long, gaunt limbs, and her sickly pallor startled me.
Doctor, This Isn’t Normal — Is It?
“Knife.” One of the surgical nurses slapped it into his hand, and Dr. James drew the scalpel quickly down the woman’s betadine-covered belly. So little fanfare preceded that moment that I almost missed it.
Pre-Medical Guest Writer
Allegheny College
Julia is a junior at Allegheny College, in western Pennsylvania. She's an English/Creative Writing major and biology minor, and plan on applying to medical school in 2018. She hopes to complete a residency in surgery. In her (limited) free time, Julia enjoys writing, reading, and ridiculous, unrealistic medical dramas.