By: Bernadette Kiraly, MD She had resettled in Utah from Africa as a refugee, fleeing a horrific past where she witnessed her husband’s murdered and she was beaten by soldiers. I prepared myself for the onslaught of pain complaints with the unreasonable expectation that I was going to fix it for her. I knew her … More Don’t ask “what is wrong with you.” Ask “what happened to you.”
By Bob Chestnut, MD “…we are living in this strange time where trust is more important than truth.” Comedian Hasan Minhaj at the 2017 White House correspondents’ dinner Most medical school graduates would likely agree that their education was mainly focused on developing medical knowledge. For the purpose of this blog post, I am referring … More Providing Trust AND Truth in Family Medicine
By Lauren Willis-Wood, MD “I’m so sorry you’re here at 3 AM”, I say for the millionth time and smile sympathetically at parents sitting with their irritable, stuffy and feverish baby in the ER room. In the midst of respiratory season and in the middle of my month rotating in the Pediatric ER, this scene … More When Doctor’s are in the Sick Role
By Bob Chestnut, MD In patient-provider interactions, the provider holds almost all the cards. The provider is on her home turf. She has years of medical training and experience and ultimately holds decision power in pursuing further diagnostic tests or prescribing therapeutic interventions. In contrast, the patient is placed in a small exam room. He … More When a provider systematically surrenders power to a patient – verbally, structurally and physically – the patient is empowered and trust is developed.
By Betty Liu, MD Just point your skis down the mountain. That was a phrase that I heard often when I first learned to ski, among many others. The trouble is, pointing your skis down the mountain is much harder to do when you’re in your late 20s, in medical school, than if you … More Just Point Your Skis Down the Mountain
Family Medicine Vital Signs 