Dr. Oberstar is a first-year resident at the Harvard Longwood residency. E-mail: joel{at}oberstar.com Key Words: Resident's Perspective Such was the advice from a family physician's lecture during our first week in medical school. At the time, I heard the literal meaning of his message: physicians show concern for a patient's ailment by touching him where he hurts. We palpate the aching abdomen, manipulate the injured joint, and run our hands over the skin rash. To a new medical student, it was welcome advice that gave some direction to my very limited patient contact. Now, though, as a psychiatry resident navigating the myriad clinical experiences required in my internship, I find myself reflecting on that family doctor's advice and wondering what role, if any, it should play in my patient interactions. Certainly in my medicine rotations I am able to follow his direction in a literal sense. But what about psychiatric patients? This issue is one with which many of my colleagues and I have struggled as we attempt to establish a foundation on which to build our professional careers. For many of us, the natural instinct when confronted with a patient in pain is to reach out (literally)
Touch Where It Hurts
Abstract
Dr. Oberstar is a first-year resident at the Harvard Longwood residency. E-mail: joel{at}oberstar.com Key Words: Resident's Perspective Such was the advice from a family physician's lecture during our first week in medical school. At the time, I heard the literal meaning of his message: physicians show concern for a patient's ailment by touching him where he hurts. We palpate the aching abdomen, manipulate the injured joint, and run our hands over the skin rash. To a new medical student, it was welcome advice that gave some direction to my very limited patient contact. Now, though, as a psychiatry resident navigating the myriad clinical experiences required in my internship, I find myself reflecting on that family doctor's advice and wondering what role, if any, it should play in my patient interactions. Certainly in my medicine rotations I am able to follow his direction in a literal sense. But what about psychiatric patients? This issue is one with which many of my colleagues and I have struggled as we attempt to establish a foundation on which to build our professional careers. For many of us, the natural instinct when confronted with a patient in pain is to reach out (literally)Preview Only. This article cannot be rented because we do not currently have permission from the publisher.
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Touch Where It Hurts
Oberstar, Joel V.
Follow Academic Psychiatry
, Volume 26 (2): 131
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc (Journal) – Jun 1, 2002
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