Takeaway
Effective care requires recognizing that every patient lives a life as complex as our own, with competing priorities and constraints that must shape realistic treatment plans.
Passion in the medical profession | May 11, 2026 | 1 min read
By Serin Baek, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine
During my final month of medical school, I’ve been reflecting on what’s motivated me in my goal of being a humanistic physician. What came to mind was the word “sonder,” defined as the realization that others are living a life as rich and complex as our own.
In my pediatrics clerkship, I joined a home visit for a toddler. The child proudly showed us each toy while her mother—still in work clothes—made dinner, started a load of laundry, and tidied the front room. An older sister arrived shortly after, returning from school with a younger sibling in tow. Seeing those small, ordinary details—juggling jobs, children, and household tasks—made clear what a clinic note alone can’t convey: care plans must fit into a life full of work, chores, and childcare.
Sonder is a habit of attention that can help uncover barriers that patients face—lack of childcare, transportation limits, or competing caregiving roles—that influence health outcomes. It enables us to co-create manageable care plans that respect the realities of patients’ days.
Sonder extends to our care teams, too. Nurses, social workers, medical assistants, and administrative staff bring their own pressures and expertise. Viewing colleagues as whole people creates more supportive working relationships, and less judgment if things go awry. This strengthens teamwork and ultimately benefits patients.
“Sonder” has renewed my commitment to humanistic care. By seeing patients and teammates as whole people with competing priorities, we make care not only more compassionate but also more likely to succeed.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.