“He’s been running a fever today —99 to 99.4 degrees— and has been a little fussy with a lot of runny nose and cough,” the mother told me. More misinformation about fever, I thought to myself, as the child ran […]
Fever Facts
The World Meets in the Hospital
All corners of the world meet in the hospital. All kinds of people commit their lives to helping the sick. We are there to alleviate suffering and save lives. With these shared goals, other differences suddenly seem petty. We may […]
Outside the Exam Room
It seems that lately, doctors spend more of our time working to prove to patients that our counsel, informed by years of rigorous training, should be trusted more than their cousin’s Facebook post, a random Wikipedia page, or a stranger’s […]
How Pregnancy Made Me Listen Again
Medical school teaches us open-ended questions are best. We are told to avoid interrupting patients, allow them get their whole story out before we jump in—to prompt them only with nods or gentle “hmmm’s” and maybe a “tell me more.” […]
Illnesses Are Stories
Much like a tree, illness can branch in different directions. When you are at the trunk, it can be difficulty to know along which branch your illness will travel. Why the story of illness matters in my latest article for […]