What happens when self-concept does not fully match up to the robust image of health and wellbeing we feel obligated to portray professionally?
A group of interprofessional students gathered in the Trent Semans Center for health professions education learning hall on Wednesday, April 9 for dinner and a discussion panel in the Imperfection Sessions series. Panelists Drs. Marie Carlson MD; Brittany Kikani DPT, ATC; and Kristen Winsor MD shared vulnerably and meaningfully during the panel moderated by Dr. Will Bynum, whose questions and introspections invited audience members to reflect on shared themes and new vantage points elucidating what it means to be accountable, how we show up for our patients, and how we can advocate to shift the culture to promote well-being and accessibility.
With a goal of bringing to light shared humanity among healthcare providers, clinical learners and their patients, the Imperfection Sessions were started at DUSOM in 2021 by Bynum, a family physician, educator and scholar with specialty focus on shame, guilt, well-being, and the system of education and care in medicine. “In a safe learning culture, people feel safe to speak up, dialogues take place about success, uncertainties, shame, fears and errors, and trainees and physician [and students] work with compassion and empathy towards their patients, their colleagues and themselves.” Atherley and Meeuwissen AA (2020); Med Educ 54(2): 92-94.
First-person illness narratives like the one Dr. Carlson authored can be found in a number of locations, including on the Docs with Disabilities website under "Resources" (Publications | Docs With Disabilities)
