Tag: Rita Charon
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The Call of the Wild and COVID-19
Liam ButchartStony Brook, New York, United StatesSamantha RizzoWashington DC, United States The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought a terrible toll upon all of us and has brought the medical system—and the providers who inhabit it—to its knees. There is a tradition in medicine, following Sir William Osler’s “Aequinimitas,” of compassionate detachment: as physicians or trainees, we…
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Literature in medical school: Why, how, and if
Tabitha SparksMontreal, Canada Do literature courses in medical school make better doctors? Will the doctors be more sensitive, display more empathy? If so, how is this achieved? And what is the evidence it does so? Since 1980 many educators have supported the integration of humanities coursework into medical school curricula. One widespread claim has been…
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Comics as a means of observation and reflection
Rose Glennerster Brighton, United Kingdom Comics have long been used as a way of attacking cultural and political hierarchy, as has the art of caricature.1, 2 They can also be used as a way to explore and understand the link between the medical profession and the rest of society.3 My comic is not intended…
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That reminds me of a story: The language of narrative in medicine
Ann RedpathNew York City, United States Story is ubiquitous. It’s no wonder that it shows up in medicine.How does narrative feed medical language? “I have over 500 patients,” the heart surgeon raised her voice in exasperation. “I just want you to hear my side of the story,” the patient countered. Too late. The doctor had…