Author's posts
Why you should not use BMI for your New Year’s resolution
My patient balanced precariously in the bustling hallway as she carefully removed her boots and slipped into lightweight sandals. My medical assistant offered to hold her purse and jacket as my patient held her breath and stepped onto the scale. Squint…
Perfectionism is your nemesis, not your superpower
Ballet dancers and doctors are essentially the same people. Long before I entered medicine, ballet taught me the skills that made me successful in my clinical practice. I was a life-long learner. I improved my skills with daily practice. I was creati…
How to make peace with purpose
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver, The Summer Day Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being.” The word “ikigai” is usually used to indica…
Call a consult: depression vs. burnout
CC: “I feel like crap.” HPI: 29-year old female internal medicine resident. Hasn’t seen sunlight in over three months due to 100 hour work weeks. Crying at work. Always exhausted and irritable. Isolated from friends and family. Fee…
Second victim syndrome in the time of COVID-19
Every physician I know has a story about an unanticipated patient event. A story that was traumatic at the time and easy to now recall in fine detail. A story that was so impactful that it still haunts them. When a patient suffers an adverse event, …
Anticipatory grief during the COVID-19 pandemic
I woke up today wearing the lead suit of grief. I was tired, irritable, and tearful. I was angry at the lack of PPE and the risk that this poses to my colleagues. I was sad, anticipating the loss of my colleagues who are still alive and well. I was …
