Log in

Reflective Practice

Log in

← Back to Resources

Personal Context

“Shooting Ghosts” – confronting the invisible injuries of warAfter Marine Sgt. Thomas ("TJ") Brennan was hit by the blast from a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to recall much of his immediate past — including, at times, the name of his own daughter…
10 ways to have a better conversationRight now America is more polarized than ever. Our lack of effective communication is one of the main contributors to this polarization. In this TED talk, Celeste Headlee outlines some effective strategies for having a healthy conversation.
12 truths I know for sure…a look at one woman's look back at her life at age 61
Are human brains hardwired to recognize some groups of people as friends and others as enemies?The concept of tribalism dates back hundreds of centuries, evolving from violent warfare to aggressive sports. Humans exhibit an innate need to relate and group, subsequently leading to issues of both minor subconscious and major conscious prejudice.
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder by Dr. Nancy SnydermanPhotographer Rick Guidotti is a renowned fashion photographer who has worked in Milan, Paris and New York. Fifteen years ago, he saw the images of patients in medical textbooks and the experience changed his life.
Cancer Diagnosis Galvanizes a Medical StudentHow a support network—and a special bond with his doctor—helped a 22-year-old med student fight lymphoma.
Characteristics of physicians who report frustration with patientsPersonal and practice characteristics of physicians who report high frustration with patients differ from those of other physicians. Understanding factors contributing to physician frustration with patients may allow us to improve the quality of patient-physician relationships.
Confronting War’s Invisible Injuries
Conundrum by Matthew HirschtrittA third-year medical student’s narrative of wrestling with the discord between the patient he pictured when reading her medical record and the patient he met after walking into the exam room. A contemplation of chronic illness and hidden strengths.
Day of Reckoning by Suzanne MinorOur patients' decisions are their own…but it may make them no more easy to understand. In this essay, Dr. Minor explores her own reactions to, and challenges with, accepting the decisions made by a patient.
Do men get better medical treatment?A recent study showed the women receive less CPR than men, but they also are consistently treated less commonly for pain and several other conditions. Why?
Healthcare racial biasTraining doctors to spot their own bias
How Doctors Diea look at how – and why – doctors often choose differently from their patients when making decisions about their own deaths.
How long have I got left?A young neurosurgeon describes his struggle with living and dying, in the framework of incurable cancer.
How Measurement Fails Doctors and TeachersAn op-ed looking at how we measure and reward doctors and teachers, and how that doesn't really get us the outcomes we want from those professionals.
How We See Ourselves, How We See Others by Emily ProninDoes our ability to know our own volition give us accurate insight into the volition of others? This article argues that the answer is a definitive "No".
Lean In: Women in BusinessSheryl Sandberg provides update to her book Lean In on the changes to women in the business world since her initial conversation-starting publication. Consider this when discussing women in medicine and balancing multiple roles and perceptions.
Liminal Thinking – The Pyramid of Belief by Dave GrayIn this sketch video, Dave Gray postulates that each of us has own reality based upon our individual pyramid of belief. Recognizing that these pyramids are built upon our life experiences and put us at risk of becoming blind to our assumptions and biases is a particularly resonant message for healthcare professionals whose assumptions and biases can have grave implications.
My battle with anorexiaDave Chawner talks about his experience being anorexic
Near-Death Experience Leads Physician to Promote EmpathyDr. Rana L.A. Awdish's near-death experience due to an occult adenoma rupturing in her liver gave her a brand new perspective based on the lack of empathy she received as a patient. Her experience as a patient totally changed the way she practices, cares and treats her patients and she realized the vital importance of incorporating empathy in the medical field.
Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism by Marc AgroninThis poignant article about a physician’s reaction to an elderly patient offers an insight into what can happen when we assume that other people’s personal context is the same as our own.
Project ImplicitA series of implicit association tests that offer insight into our implicit biases.
Racism is bad for your health – 5minAcross virtually every medical intervention, from the most simple medical treatments to the most complicated treatments, blacks and other minorities receive poorer-quality care than whites. African-Americans who are college-educated do more poorly in terms of health than whites who are college-educated. And these racial differences in the quality and intensity of care persist for African-Americans irrespective of the quality of insurance that they have, irrespective of their education level, irrespective of their job status, irrespective of the severity of disease.
Radiolab presents: WorthWhat is the value of one year of life?
Strong backs, soft fronts, wild heartsYou can listen or read the transcript of the podcast — discussion of belonging, race, the shields we put up that interfere with our conversation and how to overcome.
The “Madman” is back in the buildingA look at mental illness in the office place.
The Doctors Prescribed Me Pain Medication but Couldn’t Help Me Stop Them.a first person narrative about one patient's struggle to extricate himself from opioid pain medications, and where he did and DIDN'T find help.
the inconvenience of being a woman veteran
The Tribal Nature of MedicineIn this video, Dr. Victoria Brazil discusses tribalism in medicine and how this affects healthcare teams and ultimately patient care. The article further discusses types of teams and offers guidance for building a cohesive and functional healthcare team that is inclusive, rather than exclusive to other "tribes." Note: Registrars in Australia are roughly equivalent to Residents in the US.
Thriving in Scrubs: Normal PeopleAt some point in their education, doctors start talking about “normal people” with a mixture of envy and curiosity. Why do doctors feel this distance from others, and from the parts of their own selves outside of their profession? We talk to Nicole, Sarah and Emma, three OBGYN residents at different stages of training about how they recognize, love and forgive the normal parts of themselves. Spoiler alert: it’s all about the friends who keep us from feeling alone.
Try a Checklist (NPR’s Hidden Brain Series)A look inside the operating room with Atul Gawande — and reflection about a 1930s plane crash that inspired his obsession with checklists — as the podcast explores the subtle biases that cause very smart and very skilled people to become their own worst enemies.
Unusual NormalityA war veteran's story of a second chance at childhood and appreciation of what one has
Unwinnable HandsA great narrative that uses the metaphor of playing cards to the experience of life, dying & death. Life is not about always having a winning hand, its about being able to play the cards that are dealt and having the courage not to fold.
What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on HappinessPsychiatrist Robert Waldinger discusses the results of his adult development study, sharing what factors truly contribute to finding happiness.
When to take a stand – and when to let it goAsh Beckhan describes the challenges faced trying to fulfill multiple roles while sticking to one's personal integrity.
Why Doctors Care About Happiness"The association of happiness and health remains a potent touchstone in both popular and medical culture. In practical terms, which actually causes the other is less relevant than the fact that both are important."
Why is skinny shaming ok?Emma Woof discusses her perspective as a woman who is not overweight, although struggled with anorexia.
Why Women Still Can’t Have It AllA woman who had one of the most powerful jobs in the State Department stepped down to spend time with her family. She discusses the gender divide in making such a choice, and provides perspective on how the workplace for both women AND men might change if we approach the topic of career and family differently.
Your Body Language Shapes Who You AreWhile we may be able to identify what body language implies about mood, we are less aware that body language can actually influence it. The implications for communication with patients and colleagues may be profound.