Since the moment I first decided medicine would be my path, I began to prioritize education over so many other things. My family has always pushed an “education comes first” attitude and supports my medical journey completely. So I learned to prioritize school over all else, even when I felt guilty missing out on “life.” I would pass on dinner with friends if I had reading to finish. I remember spending time during a family reunion in the corner of the room writing essays. I even turned down a trip to a London because it interfered with my MCAT date. The examples fly by me and for many years I didn’t even think about these decisions because I was so laser focused on getting into medical school.

All of the times I missed out on experiences came into glaring light to me today.

Because once again I was missing out.… Continue reading →

As medical providers how long do we spend with a patient during a single visit? You walk in, introduce yourself, ask a few questions, listen to the patient’s story and then, with a differential and a plan in mind, you walk out. Wash, rinse and repeat this process with however many patients you are caring for that day. The importance of including family members into the care team became abundantly clear today after hearing the personal stories of preventable medical errors. One of my take away quotes was: “providers see the movie trailer, but family members watch the whole film.” The family members know a patient’s normal mannerisms, they are in the room with the patient all day, and they are going to be the ones who continue care long after they leave the hospital. Therefore, it is beneficial to both the medical team and the patient to welcome them… Continue reading →