Takeaway
Reflective journaling can be used to help us step into our patient’s shoes to understand their unique challenges. Consider experimenting with this and other forms of writing.
Connecting with Patients | November 21, 2024 | 2 min read
By Roshni Beeharry, MBBS, Kings College London
“The role of a doctor reaches far beyond the confines of the healer; we are an amalgam of guides, teachers and students. Sometimes we help in unexpected ways; in the process, we can learn from and with our patients.”
This is an extract from my learning journal after an experience as a trainee in neurological rehabilitation medicine. I was observing an occupational therapy (OT) session in which the group was making wooden bird boxes. The OT noted Mr. D struggling to remove the crooked roof he’d nailed on and volunteered my assistance. Mr. D had significant visual and perceptual difficulty after brain tumor surgery and struggled to find the roof’s edges to place a sharp chisel—a situation I nervously observed because it was ripe for potential injury. With some trepidation on my part (I didn’t have experience woodworking), Mr. D and I worked together to remove the lid safely and he was able to carry on with his work.
This encounter has stayed with me decades later as one of the most fulfilling of my career. In part, this was because I built rapport with Mr. D by working with him using skills other than my clinical skills.
I called my reflective piece “building bridges” as a metaphor for this connection. Through reflective writing, I realized that I learned about Mr. D by learning with him. Building bird boxes together, I witnessed his tenacity and learned about how his condition affected his life. This was a unique insight I wouldn’t have gained on a ward round or clinic appointment. I also learned more about myself, and this encounter further fueled my passion for working with patients holistically.
Here are a few things you can try to integrate non-academic writing into your practice:
1. Learning journal
Here you can document your thoughts, uncertainties, and patient interactions in a less structured and objective way than in academic writing. This can capture subjective aspects of patient care, including your own emotions, and need not be shared with anyone or assessed.
2. Narrative medicine
Narrative medicine emphasizes working toward deep understanding of a patient’s story to improve their care. By writing about a patient’s story, you can further absorb, analyze, and interpret it.
3. Creative writing
Writing poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction is a powerful way to reflect and is something I’ve been doing throughout my clinical and academic career. I also facilitate workshops for medical students and healthcare professionals to use this tool to foster personal and professional development.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.