Dr Greenwald. I can't figure out if all your posts or free or if I am missing a trove of other writing by not paying anything. Anyway, your essays are wonderful. I am a psychiatrist and I learn a lot from you.
Even though I’m in no way connected with the medical world (other than my recent knee replacement!), I learned a few things. Particularly, third ear and beginner mind. Both valuable no matter what your field. As usual, thanks for another engrossing essay.
Much respect to psychiatrists. I consult them weekly in the hospital setting on the internal medicine wards. The skillset is different (mind-bending in a way) and I could not do what they do!
Love the wisdom imparted because much of it applies to any career decision making regardless of whether we are at the beginning or nearing the end of it. Bravo.
What a great piece. It felt like I was on a trolley. Hopping off here to learn that, hopping off there to see 'X' more clearly. Each stop had pearls that I put in my pocket that I can bring out when I need to hear them again. I'm especially touched by, "what is mundane to me is new and maybe exciting and maybe scary for him/her. Learn how to listen and read the people I am presenting to so I can effectively teach and by proxy feel that newness and freshness myself again."
I plan on revisiting this every year - such brilliant writing with a riveting message.
I am currently in nursing school and struggle to provid therapeutic communication to my patients beyond "I'm sorry to hear that," or, "it must be so difficult to X, Y, Z." I think my problem, at an etiological level, is that I struggle constructing impromptu dialogue that is well spoken and meaningful. I do much better when I have a script in mind, or responses adequately prepared in anticipation to specific cues that my patient gives me.
Is there any resource you would recommend for brushing up on these interpersonal skills? I'm quite awkward with these patients and it bothers me to no end... a book, some more handy phrases you use often (I loved the one you provided earlier about showing your clients a sort of re-assuring confidence.)
I don't know any resources off-hand but I'll keep my eye out. In general though, if the patient is interested in talking, just let them talk more. If you want phrases at the ready, I'd go for simple prompts along the lines of "tell me more...", "what was that like?", etc. Most people want to be heard and sympathized with, so just listening and showing genuine interest is often more than enough. I wouldn't feel a burden to say anything particularly profound.
Just yesterday I ran into a teaching Psychoanalyst in the hall and he asked me how my day was, I genuinely replied “I’m happy to have the best job on earth”. Some days it really is true.
Dr Greenwald. I can't figure out if all your posts or free or if I am missing a trove of other writing by not paying anything. Anyway, your essays are wonderful. I am a psychiatrist and I learn a lot from you.
Your patients are very lucky.
Thank you that means a lot! And yes all post are free
Even though I’m in no way connected with the medical world (other than my recent knee replacement!), I learned a few things. Particularly, third ear and beginner mind. Both valuable no matter what your field. As usual, thanks for another engrossing essay.
So good thanks for sharing that!
Adam
As another medstudent, not necessarily inclined to psychiatry, but to neurology, I found many pearls of wisdom in your post. Thank you
Finally got a break from dedicated to sit down and read this properly.
Thank you, a great reminder of all there is to look forward to and reassurance that the decision was the right one.
Will come back to this during intern year.
Your reflections are a gift to those in medical school. May they have ears to hear.
Much respect to psychiatrists. I consult them weekly in the hospital setting on the internal medicine wards. The skillset is different (mind-bending in a way) and I could not do what they do!
Love the wisdom imparted because much of it applies to any career decision making regardless of whether we are at the beginning or nearing the end of it. Bravo.
What a great piece. It felt like I was on a trolley. Hopping off here to learn that, hopping off there to see 'X' more clearly. Each stop had pearls that I put in my pocket that I can bring out when I need to hear them again. I'm especially touched by, "what is mundane to me is new and maybe exciting and maybe scary for him/her. Learn how to listen and read the people I am presenting to so I can effectively teach and by proxy feel that newness and freshness myself again."
“Living with integrity while maintaining a healthy flexibility to circumstance is the art of living.”
Thx for this whole piece, & this closing thought. So true.
Excited to see you back writing!
I plan on revisiting this every year - such brilliant writing with a riveting message.
I am currently in nursing school and struggle to provid therapeutic communication to my patients beyond "I'm sorry to hear that," or, "it must be so difficult to X, Y, Z." I think my problem, at an etiological level, is that I struggle constructing impromptu dialogue that is well spoken and meaningful. I do much better when I have a script in mind, or responses adequately prepared in anticipation to specific cues that my patient gives me.
Is there any resource you would recommend for brushing up on these interpersonal skills? I'm quite awkward with these patients and it bothers me to no end... a book, some more handy phrases you use often (I loved the one you provided earlier about showing your clients a sort of re-assuring confidence.)
I don't know any resources off-hand but I'll keep my eye out. In general though, if the patient is interested in talking, just let them talk more. If you want phrases at the ready, I'd go for simple prompts along the lines of "tell me more...", "what was that like?", etc. Most people want to be heard and sympathized with, so just listening and showing genuine interest is often more than enough. I wouldn't feel a burden to say anything particularly profound.
Just yesterday I ran into a teaching Psychoanalyst in the hall and he asked me how my day was, I genuinely replied “I’m happy to have the best job on earth”. Some days it really is true.
Psych residency is great. I miss it sometimes.