The power of observation

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Olivia Geen. Scrub-In. Jan 2016; 11:10-11.

INTRODUCTION

A few months ago, I was a the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton for a radiation oncology observership, where I met a very special patient - I’ll Call her “Theresa”. I was very moved by what I experienced, and in an attempt to sort through these feelings, I decided to write a hypothetical letter to her. I never thought anyone would ever read it. However, I’ve often looked back at this letter and it occurred to me that perhaps the lessons I learned that day, or even simply the story of Theresa, might be of interest to other medical students.