The Alcoholics Anonymous Perspective
Our patients deserve to have their battles acknowledged. That means believing your patients when they implore, “I am trying” and appreciating that we may encounter people at different phases of recovery.
Tag: patient story
Contributing Writer
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
Shivangi is a third year medical student at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2016, she graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and behavioral biology. She enjoys playing tennis and soccer, traveling and exploring rooftops in her free time.
Dust to Dust
“There’s a great neuro exam in room 5147,” my resident said as I dropped my bag in the call room. “Why don’t you go check it out?” I clutched my reflex hammer in one hand and googled the components of a neuro exam with the other as I headed towards the stairwell.
Insight from a Then Cancer Survivor, Now a Medical Student
When I was told I had a mass in my chest, I was shocked. Like most people who are told that they have cancer, I was blindsided. But it was even more shocking because I had been going to multiple doctors over a period of six months complaining of pain in my chest, right arm, and right shoulder.
A Tale of Four Hospitals: A First-Person Perspective into Chinese Emergency Care (Part 2 of 2)
This is the conclusion of the two part series of Yichi Zhang’s experience as a patient in China’s emergency medicine system.
A Tale of Four Hospitals: A First-Person Perspective into Chinese Emergency Care (Part 1 of 2)
In part one of this two-part series, Yichi Zhang recounts his experience as a patient in China’s emergency medicine system.
A Physician’s Most Powerful Tool
The HIV clinic was one of my favorite rotations in all of third year. It was often emotional for me. Many uninsured, low-income patients came to the clinic not only for their HIV treatment, but also for comprehensive primary care.
Tiger, Coco, Bella and Daisy
You tell me you’d like to be an engineer one day. You hesitate after the words “one day,” like you’re reconsidering the phrase. I want to tell you not to, but I can’t find the words.
The Patient In Room Four
I prepared myself to discuss lab results and dietary counseling. But then my eyes stumbled upon the words on my screen that seemed to be staring back at me: ‘Lung cancer, metastatic to the bone.’
Let Me Go
I had not yet guided a ‘goals of care’ discussion. This is the discussion that entails understanding a patient’s wishes regarding end of life care, and it is often in the context of determining what advanced medical interventions the patient might want. That day, my short white coat felt shorter, like it was yelling out to everyone I encountered that I had no idea what I was doing.
Gimme Shelter
I hate to say that there is something exciting about getting called in to the hospital in the middle of the night. Logically, I know that means something bad is happening to someone else, but it makes my heart beat a little faster and my adrenaline surge.
The Plant
Every time we’d ask the physical therapists to take him on a walk to get better oriented with his surroundings and see some sunlight, Mr. G. would refuse. He was a stubborn man.
Patient Care Improves When Patients Care
I will never forget the patient who shocked my preconceived notions about health care.
Contributing Writer
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Tejus Pradeep is a third year medical student at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2016, he graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in cell biology and neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. He enjoys basketball, football, and tennis in his free time. After graduating medical school, Tejus would like to pursue a career in the field of ophthalmology.