True confessions of a hospitalized hospitalist

Physician
March 2, 2016

A road trip from Georgia to New York was going splendid, dare I say, wonderful — catching up with old friends and family — when it took an unforeseen and slightly less desirable turn: I got admitted with a small bowel obstruction.  Thanks to truly excellent care from a community hospital, I am home and now subjected to endless computer questions from my father that has me briefly contemplating readmission …

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True confessions of a hospitalized hospitalist

A patient asked, “How are you doing, really?” It meant the world to me.

Physician
August 21, 2015

It was two years ago.  It was a rough morning and I felt defeated.  I stood by the next patient’s doorway.  I couldn’t see myself, but I knew my own appearance: head down, a look of resignation, shoulders slumped.  I knocked on the patient’s door and entered.  “Good morning!” I said to the patient.  I felt my energy levels depleting in the effort to remain upbeat and enthused.  The tank …

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A patient asked, “How are you doing, really?” It meant the world to me.