By Olivia Foley '22
During this trying time of uncertainty, the majority of my summer plans were thwarted. Aiming to conduct research in Belize on the medical cold chain this summer, as well as study abroad for the Fall 2020 semester in Puebla, Mexico, with a medical education focus, I was finding myself becoming very discouraged as time and time again, I received news of cancellations. The book recommendations from Compassionate Care in Medicine, however, reinvigorated my thirst for knowledge, reminding me why I wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
What Patients Taught Me by Audrey Young spoke to me, as one of the main reasons I want to become a physician is to interact with patients and help people. As the world progresses and many things shift to a virtual setting, I enjoyed how this book re-emphasized the importance of in-person contact and human connection. The things doctors can learn from patients are endless, and a large part of a physician’s success relies on their ability to establish a bond of trust with their patients. This book provided detailed accounts of patient visits and interactions, giving me back some of the hands-on education I was missing out on this summer. I also enjoyed the subtle reminder from this book that despite the fact that doctors go to medical school and spend many years studying their craft, no one knows everything.
Following What Patients Taught Me, I was extremely excited to begin How Doctors Think by Dr. Jerome Groopman. While this book was slightly longer and utilized more technical jargon, I enjoyed it all the same. This book again provided a feeling of hands-on learning as we read through patient cases, analyzing physicians' oversights while still being reminded of the importance of the patient. I thought this book provided a very unique viewpoint, highlighting the hidden difficulties of practicing family medicine. In today’s world, there is immense pressure on pre-medical and medical students to select a niche and narrow specialty, while less focus and importance is placed on that of the family medicine doctor and primary care. This book reminded readers that even extremely specialized doctors can make mistakes, and general practitioners are immensely valuable.
Despite the heartbreak from cancelled research plans and trips this summer, I have been doing my best to make the most of my time at home. Reading these two books reminded me exactly why I am so passionate in pursuing a medical career and strengthened my fire in my pursuit of medical school.
During this trying time of uncertainty, the majority of my summer plans were thwarted. Aiming to conduct research in Belize on the medical cold chain this summer, as well as study abroad for the Fall 2020 semester in Puebla, Mexico, with a medical education focus, I was finding myself becoming very discouraged as time and time again, I received news of cancellations. The book recommendations from Compassionate Care in Medicine, however, reinvigorated my thirst for knowledge, reminding me why I wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
What Patients Taught Me by Audrey Young spoke to me, as one of the main reasons I want to become a physician is to interact with patients and help people. As the world progresses and many things shift to a virtual setting, I enjoyed how this book re-emphasized the importance of in-person contact and human connection. The things doctors can learn from patients are endless, and a large part of a physician’s success relies on their ability to establish a bond of trust with their patients. This book provided detailed accounts of patient visits and interactions, giving me back some of the hands-on education I was missing out on this summer. I also enjoyed the subtle reminder from this book that despite the fact that doctors go to medical school and spend many years studying their craft, no one knows everything.
Following What Patients Taught Me, I was extremely excited to begin How Doctors Think by Dr. Jerome Groopman. While this book was slightly longer and utilized more technical jargon, I enjoyed it all the same. This book again provided a feeling of hands-on learning as we read through patient cases, analyzing physicians' oversights while still being reminded of the importance of the patient. I thought this book provided a very unique viewpoint, highlighting the hidden difficulties of practicing family medicine. In today’s world, there is immense pressure on pre-medical and medical students to select a niche and narrow specialty, while less focus and importance is placed on that of the family medicine doctor and primary care. This book reminded readers that even extremely specialized doctors can make mistakes, and general practitioners are immensely valuable.
Despite the heartbreak from cancelled research plans and trips this summer, I have been doing my best to make the most of my time at home. Reading these two books reminded me exactly why I am so passionate in pursuing a medical career and strengthened my fire in my pursuit of medical school.