Dec 28, 2020
"Taking a few extra minutes to get to know our patients on a deeper and more human level can help unearth forgotten passions that were once dear to them. This reminder of their unique experiences can empower them to continue to find meaning in their lives, no matter what circumstances they may face."
Medical student Grace Ro describes one experience that reminded her every patient has a story that shapes their hopes, fears, and dreams. Learning these stories can help to humanize and better understand the doctor-patient experience.
This essay placed in the 2020 Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest and was published in the November 2020 issue of Academic Medicine. Read the essay at academicmedicine.org.