Medical school

Putting on the mask of professionalism causes burnout

Physician

August 24, 2022

In medical school, we are not just taught the scientific information that doctors should know, we are also taught how doctors should look and behave.

I remember being shown a video on “professionalism” during our first day of orientation. It was meant to be humorous, demonstrating more extreme examples of dress code and behavioral violations.

Medical students walk into exam rooms with their bra straps hanging out.

Smacking on gum and blowing bubbles …

Advancing health equity conversations through cultural humility

Sylk Sotto-Santiago, EdD, MBA and Erik Fernández y García, MD, MPH

Policy

August 23, 2022

In 1998, Drs. Tervalon and Murray-Garcia created the concept of “cultural humility” as a way to transcend the prevailing but limiting concept of cultural competence in teaching medical students and trainees how to respectfully deliver health care to the increasingly diverse populations of the U.S. The cultural competence paradigm leads health care professionals to assign patient group traits or labels. On the other hand, cultural humility incorporates a lifelong commitment …

On the boundaries of medicine, medical education, and political passion

Rosalind Kaplan, MD

Physician

August 19, 2022

On July 25, 2022, dozens of medical students at the University of Michigan School of Medicine walked out of the school’s White Coat Ceremony when the keynote speaker, Dr. Kristin Collier, an assistant professor of medicine, approached the podium. Dr. Collier is pro-life and has expressed her anti-abortion views in tweets and interviews. She was chosen as keynote speaker by a vote by the university’s Gold Humanism Honor Society. A …

A medical student’s advocacy journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 15, 2022

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

“As I looked across the boxes on my screen, I saw the gleaming faces of my peers. Just as it did then, and as it has for countless of my peers since, involvement in the Student Osteopathic …

My high school was harder than my first year of medical school

Leonard Wang

Education

August 13, 2022

I am a second-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. In 2018, I graduated from Westwood High School in Austin, Texas. My experience at Westwood was harder than my first year of medical school at UTMB. I wrote this piece to provide some context to students like myself who struggled or are struggling with public school in Texas.

When I was 17 years old, …

Student advocacy through the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)

Scott Landman

Education

August 5, 2022

“Nerves ablaze, my voice cracked as I ended my remarks outlining the need for equitable data collection. I leaned towards the screen, adjusted my eyeline to make eye contact, and asked Representative Thomas Suozzi to support The Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act. Representative Suozzi paused for a second, appeared to think over, or perhaps through the points of my argument–and then responded resolutely with, ‘I will cosign …

To fight medical student burnout, focus less on the clinic and more on life

Natalie LaBossier

Education

July 24, 2022

Medical training has historically been known for its intensity, during which work-life balance is traded in for intensive study sessions and early morning rounds. In recent years, medical schools have become increasingly interested in programs to improve student wellbeing. Many of these programs teach students the importance of wellness, touting the value of exercise, hobbies, and spending time with friends and family without providing the time …

Should your child try for medical school?

Richard D. Sontheimer, MD

Education

July 15, 2022

An essay from 1989.

Some day one of my children will likely ask what I once asked my stepfather, “Dad, do you think I should try for med school?” I feel that it will most likely be our inquisitive middle child, Clayton John (“CJ”). And, when that time comes, what will I say to Mr. CJ?

For many physicians in the past, the answer to this question would have been a resounding, …

Strategies to help you prepare for multiple mini interviews (MMIs) [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 21, 2022

“The bottom line is that while you can’t predict exactly which MMI prompt you’ll be given, you can absolutely start preparing for the MMI. Become familiar with the format, practice your delivery, start reading about issues in health care, and start thinking about major points to discuss around these issues. While …

Professionalism or depersonalization in medical school?

Anonymous

Education

June 15, 2022

“And when we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed, but when we are silent, we are still afraid, so it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive.”
– Audre Lorde

Like Audre Lorde, I would rather be afraid and speak my truth than choke on my silence. Often, as I navigate my journey through medicine, I feel as though …

I married an MD

Rolfe Hanson

Conditions

June 14, 2022

Recognizing accomplishments and a ticket to residency: That was Match Day. But now, at the doorstep of the next challenge, you’d better take a hard look at your most important personal relationship.

That is, if you want to keep your good thing together. Because if you think residency is going to be the start of easy, no-maintenance times for you and your partner, maybe you need to go back to medical …

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I married an MD

The health care system will cause its own physician shortage

Advait Suvarnakar and Aashka Suvarnakar

Policy

June 14, 2022

A quarter of a million dollars — that’s the amount of debt the average medical student in the United States owes after completing medical school. After all the late nights studying, the endless exams and selfless sacrifice, it’s human nature to expect a historically stable career as the reward — right? I mean, weren’t we all told that “hard work pays off” at some point in our lives? For budding …

The MMI: 3 strategies to help you prepare

Rajani Katta, MD

Education

June 7, 2022

You’re feeling pretty confident as you walk into your medical school interview– but then you meet your interviewer. “Why did it take you so long to get here?! I’ve been sitting here, waiting and waiting, and I’m in so much pain.”

Welcome to the world of the MMI. The Multiple Mini Interview, commonly known as the MMI, is a newer type of medical school interview, and it’s increasingly being used in …

For medical students: 20 pearls to honor every clinical rotation

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Education

May 21, 2022

With medical school graduation on the horizon, I wanted to share my pearls for success for any clinical rotation.

1. Integrate yourself into your team and be engaged in all patient care.

2. Ask questions and be motivated to learn.

3. Follow up on patients without being asked.

4. Be the “extra” pair of hands to help the team.

5. Be proactive in picking up new patients.

6. Come up with solid differentials and plans before …

Infertility treatment’s hidden costs [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 19, 2022

“Looking to the future, since I only froze one embryo and my ovary reserve is diminishing, we are hoping to go through another infertility treatment cycle. Although, once again, the medications are once again being denied.

Infertility is just like any other mental or physical health condition and should be fully covered, …

Residency interviews and the inner muse [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 15, 2022

“Have you ever wondered how many times death has not come, but could have? On the corner of Church Street and Dubuque how close was I, pausing to assess an ice-sheeted puddle just before a woman turns, her head turned too, searching for what? A snack? A phone? A child crying? …

A state of service — and how flow can get you there

Benjamin Borokhovsky

Education

May 2, 2022

In 6th grade, my humanities teacher wrote a prompt for our class final: What is the purpose of life?

I immediately grabbed my pencil and thundered away without a second thought. Five minutes in, I was still the only one writing. Rachmaninoff, the famous Russian composer who was known for intricate melodies, once said that after one has played a great many number of notes does he realize that true genius …

Why did it feel like I failed my patient?

Aatqa Memon

Education

April 23, 2022

“Have you ever had feelings of depression?”

I regretted asking that question the moment it slipped out of my mouth. In the span of what felt like 5 minutes but was probably 30 seconds, both the patient and I immediately became awkward. The patient hesitated and her breathing hitched. My heart rate became rapid and my palms got sweaty. Her eyes turned red, her face tilted downwards, her fingers tremored. By …

Medicine won’t keep you warm at night

Anonymous

Education

April 12, 2022

Life continues in medical school and residency. Engagements, marriages, and divorces. Becoming a parent to a child. Having a dog or cat. Love and loss. Life and death. Then there is the uniqueness and privilege of being in medical training combined with great responsibilities and pressures that set the stage for some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

Prior to beginning medical school, I was told by a …

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Medicine won’t keep you warm at night

International medical graduates ease the U.S. doctor shortage

G. Richard Olds, MD

Education

April 11, 2022

Thousands of young doctors just learned where they’ll be spending the next few years of their lives in residency.

A significant number of them will be U.S. citizens who completed medical school abroad. This corps of internationally educated doctors has become increasingly important to the U.S. health care system — and is tackling a disproportionate share of America’s biggest health care challenges.

The United States desperately needs doctors. According to the Association …