This post is part of our collection of “Gold Nuggets” — our way of alerting the medical community to original artwork, poetry or multimedia that stimulate discussion and reflection.
In a blog post titled “Toward the clinical humanities: How literature and the arts can help shape humanism and professionalism in medical education“, Johanna Shapiro, PhD writes “I have never found a better way of encouraging students to ask questions and of stimulating a critical position in regards to the answers that emerge, than by having them read a poem or participate in a skit or gaze at a painting.”
If you have something you think would make for good discussion by the medical community, you can submit a Gold Nugget by following these instructions.
Jaqueline’s Reflection
To listen to Jacqueline Boehme reflect on how she changed over the course of her third year, please click here then press play on the left side of the audio player.
To read the PDF version of this reflection, please click here.
Discussion Questions
1. The process of becoming a doctor is sometimes called ‘formation’ or ‘socialization’. Prior to engaging in this transformative process, what fears did you have about how it might negatively affect you and what hopes did you have for how it might positively change you?
2. What are the ways in which you’ve noticed yourself changing during this process of professional formation?
3. How does the culture of medical training contribute to shaping your physician identity?
4. Many medical students describe a sense of being an impostor or ‘faking it’ until they actually begin feeling like a doctor. Have you ever felt this way? What are some ways to maintain a sense of authenticity and integrity as you grow into a physician?
5. How does your developing identity as a physician affect the other relationships and interactions in your life?
