Contributing Writer Emeritus
The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah where I grew up skiing the snowy mountains during the winter and the numerous reservoirs during the summer. I attended BYU and graduated with a degree in Latin American Studies and Chemistry. I am currently a third year medical student at Penn State University in Hershey, PA.
You made it. You were finally there. After thousands of hours of studying, dozens of tests, numerous volunteer and leadership experiences (to say nothing of many other sacrifices along the way), you had reached the pinnacle of your education. You earned the title you had so desperately yearned for: medical student.
Back in April of this year, we came across an article published in JAMA Psychiatry that called to attention the poor state of mental health for many physicians-in-training. We were excited by the publication of this seminal piece, an opportunity for medical educators, students and institutions to have an earnest conversation about the ugly stain of burnout and suicide that tarnishes the healing profession.
In many ways, the students of Class of 2017 have become my second family. In the warm August of 2014, each of us arrived at orientation from different walks of life. We became one in the quiet moments as we donned our ceremonial white coats one after another and nervously found our designated places next to our coating second years. It was not unintentional that we swore the Hippocratic Oath as one — it marked the beginnings of a four-year relationship with each other and our transition from civilian life into medical. It represented an unspoken first moment of camaraderie. It represented the first knot tied in this large professional community.
Good sleep goes hand in hand with good health; after all, one-third of the day is spent in the state of non-wakefulness know as sleep. Whether this sleep is a peaceful slumber or ridden with multiple awakenings has great consequences for productivity, learning, attention and demeanor throughout the day. Thus, it is essential to maintain adequate sleep hygiene, and exercise can play a role in increasing restorative sleep — if done at the right time.
How can doctors-in-training overcome feelings of inadequacy? Robert, a fourth-year medical student in Philadelphia hoping to become a pediatric dermatologist, discusses the benefits of exposing his vulnerabilities.
In the pursuit of dreams, we are taught to never lose sight of our goals. It is impossible to accomplish any meaningful ambition without a devotion to discipline and the acceptance personal sacrifice. This creates tunnel vision, which is ideal for reaching a destination, but burdensome for those close to you. It is easy to forget those who hold us up, push us forward and who at the end of the day just say, “I love you, no matter what.”
The snow has fully started in Albany. With coldness sprinkling its physical manifestations in flurries, the imminence of winter and another year’s end are tangible. The shuffling students that occupy the classrooms thin as more and more of us choose to study within the warmths of our homes and snuggies. The second year of medical school has truly been a test of endurance and resilience. The two-week themes and examinations have certainly been another challenge to adjust to, many of us exploring and adapting different study strategies in attempt to maximize our time for the ominous Step 1 studying.
Most medical students are well aware of the benefits of exercise, but lack the motivation (and time) to do so. My suggestion? Do it with a friend! Here are six reasons why getting a workout buddy can help you achieve your workout goals, while enjoying the experience.
It was not at a specific moment in time nor the result of an inciting event, but soon after medical school began, I started to forget who I was. I don’t mean early-onset Alzheimer’s or a drug-induced psychosis type of forgetting; I mean lost all sight of what made me me type of forgetting.
For medical students, long hours hitting the books, demanding schedules and competitive careers can all make it hard to turn off at night. As a result, we tend to experience sleepless nights; and for some, these nights turn into weeks, months or even years.
Contributing Writer
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
Victor is a Class of 2016 medical student at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
Sleeping on the Job
There are very few settings in which a good night’s rest is more important than in medicine. It is vital for patients’ in recovery as well as for those entrusted with their care. Here’s some advice from a fellow medical student on ways to enhance sleep for patients and in each phase of medical training.
