These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

March 8, 2011, 7:16 pmDoctor Psychobabble5 comments

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things”

- “My Favorite Things” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”

Chris, me and Micah

I just got home from a day of neurology consults at the hospital. I was completely swamped today and didn’t have time to eat. But I saw so much and did so much, it was simply amazing.

The highlight of my day? A patient’s family member telling me that I looked more like a fashion designer than a doctor, but acted more like a doctor than most doctors. He thanked me for my refreshing attitude, approach to patient care, and non-doctor-dreary attire. It certainly brought a smile to my face, his face, and my patient’s face.

I finally have a few photos from my adventure a few weeks ago to the Van Cleef and Arpels Exhibit Opening at the Cooper-Hewitt museum. Nothing brings me more joy than having a beautiful balance to my life. I absolutely love being a doctor and don’t mind missing meals and sleep to take care of my patients. But I also absolutley love taking time to enjoy art and the rest of the universe. I don’t think I’d be happy if either component were subtracted from my life.

Now, it’s time to eat, shower, and work on a presentation for this Thursday. These are a few of my favorite things….

Click Here to View the Photos

  • Rebecca

    Do tell about you non-dreary attire. I’m terrified that they’re going to make me dress like a boring grown up soon…

  • http://www.TheseScrubs.com Doug S

    Nice tats! I wanted to remind you that receiving patient comments like “thank you for your refreshing attitude, approach to patient care, and non-doctor-dreary attire” is not par for the course. You are one of the exceptional ones dude. Keep it up, because you are setting the bar higher for those who observe and learn from you (like me).

    So, I’m wondering what your experience was like in emergency settings. Often ED settings are rife with over objectiveness. Did you find you were able to approach the patients with a similar air of friendliness and non-dreariness?

    Shanks,
    Doug

  • http://www.northcoaststables.com Jon

    I knew Lee Van Cleef had been a painter, but…
    What a colorful back you have!

  • Dr. Psychobabble

    Rebecca: boring grown up attire is very depressing to me.

    i’ve been known to wear some crazy colored tights, mismatched outfits, fun earrings and lots of doc martens… promise to share some photos soon! :)

    Doug: good question!

    i really think that i could write an entire book on this subject. but my experience thus far in both ED and non ED settings is that the vast majority of patients and surprisingly nurses, docs, and other staff respond positively to a little “flair.” by flair i mean both physical and personality/approach/etc. yes, i actually approach all of my patients with an air of friendliness and non-dreariness (although when i’m sleep deprived and starving, i’ll admit that my “flair” suffers a bit). i find that my patients respond particularly positively to my approach. i think many patients are unhappy with the vast majority of their experiences with docs. and when they encounter a friendly, smiling, maybe somewhat “off the wall” doc, they are pleasantly surprised. and i’ve found that even the most “difficult” of patients respond to this approach….

    Jon: :) yes, and it’s not even 30% finished yet!

  • c

    Beautiful tattoo! I’m looking to get (a tiny) one on my wrist if I reach my goal score on Step 1 this summer.

    Do you think it’s acceptable to have a nose ring in the hospital, specifically as a medical student on rotations? Some say it’s unprofessional, but I don’t see anything wrong with a small stud. Medicine has traditionally been very dull in the style department and the attitude is to be sadly dreary like you’ve said. I’m totally inspired by how you’ve managed to stay the same since I read your blog from your time at Ross. Keep up the wonderful work! I aspire to be as caring, balanced and “off the wall” as you :)