Me and My Stethoscope

The practice of Medicine requires the practice of human connection.  Our medical practices certainly have changed in light of Coronavirus. Office appointments have changed to telephone appointments. Certainly the majority of communication is nonverbal. Telephone appointments create limitations in the sense of no eye contact, no face reading and no body language. So I practice the best I can. I make small talk. I ask the person on the other end *who* they are, what they do, how they’re coping with the current situation. People have generally been a little less chatty than usual since Covid19. Once in a while, someone bites and we segway into their past life, their hobbies, the bowling league and their spouse.  I cherish these conversations.  These conversations are a window into the other person’s life and, by default, a window into their health. These conversations are also a reminder to me that I am human too. And it’s great to connect with other humans. I

Coronavirus doesn’t discriminate against gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. And yes, this is America, and America currently has the highest count of Covid19 infections and deaths. This is not an America problem. This is an all of humanity problem. Other countries have implemented mask-wearing too 😷 At present time in the USA, we have more infected people than we have ICU beds. By not wearing a mask, you are saying that your individual right to choose to wear one is greater than the risk of anyone else’s life. If you feel that is patriotic and helps you sleep at night, that is your choice and your responsibility to bear. But please don’t show up to the hospital demanding full care when you’ve refused to follow simple preventative measures. There are people displaced from their homes, unemployed, sick, dying, etc. It’s a privilege that wearing a mask is the biggest discomfort in our lives right now. Happy Memorial Day — let’s remember everyone who gave their lives for

I have been socially distancing since March 15th. I have gone to work and I have come home. I have gone to the market every couple weeks. Our 2-week vacation was canceled and I returned to work. Initially I struggled with the emotional roller coaster of the sick patients, the shelter in place and the general uncertainty of what’s to come. Then a beautiful thing happened.  I found calm. You see, my BC (before Covid19) life was so hectic. I would wake up bleary-eyed after hitting snooze once or twice. I would rush to get ready in the AM. I would scarf down breakfast. I would speed off to work in start and stop traffic. I would plow through a morning session of patients. Nonstop reading charts on the computer and talking to patients and families all day long with multiple interruptions from nurses and pharmacy. I spent lunch trying to catch up on charts or inbox or attend meetings. I would scarf down food in ten minutes. Then return for an afternoon session of clinic with the