My classmate and I were walking back to the residents' workroom when we realized one of the psychiatry patients was trailing along behind us.
Author: Natalia Birgisson
How to master the neuro exam
As a medical student, neurology can be one of the most intimidating rotations. The brain is so complex and the neuro exam so difficult to …
I’m not suicidal… But we should talk
My sister did something brave two years ago when she started getting national interviews about her bestselling energy beverage: She talked about her depression. She …
When doctors don’t have enough to give
Every time I walk into a bookstore, I pass Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air and am reminded of a specific anecdote he shared. Kalanithi, …
How do traumatic childhood experiences affect adults?
During my two years off from medical school, I've been volunteering as a court appointed special advocate for children in the foster care system. And …
When the delivery goes wrong: A med student’s reflections
Certain details in this entry have been omitted or changed to protect the identity of the patient. Labor and Delivery is a pretty strange place. It's …
A doctor’s testimony: An up-close look at criminal justice and domestic violence
Note: Certain details in this entry have been omitted or changed. Two doctors I work with were recently asked to testify in court. I knew …
How to plot a novel… with medical school
It has been almost four years since my classmates and I swore the Hippocratic Oath and began the journey of medical school. Now many of …
Books I couldn’t put down in 2016
I love books that I can’t put down. In fact, if I find myself reading a book that I’m willing to set aside to do such …
“Invest in yourself”: An open letter to first-year medical students
Dear first-year medical students, Welcome! What an exciting time. You are now well into your first weeks at Stanford's School of Medicine, and if your …
Day in the life of a first-year med student
I was in my first year of medical school, back when I still thought I was an extrovert. I was taking an anatomy exam, which was …
“You can do anything for four weeks”: Advice for clerkships
In two weeks, I'll be starting clinical rotations - yea! I finally get to start doing what doctors do. But I've been terrified, which I think …
A tribute to medical school
Stanford Medicine Unplugged is a forum for students to chronicle their experiences in medical school. The student-penned entries appear on Scope once a week during the …
Ten surprising things that Stanford med students do
Stanford Medicine Unplugged (formerly SMS Unplugged) is a forum for students to chronicle their experiences in medical school. The student-penned entries appear on Scope once a …
Medical tips for holiday travel
Stanford Medicine Unplugged (formerly SMS Unplugged) is a forum for students to chronicle their experiences in medical school. The student-penned entries appear on Scope once a …
Considering premed? Some things to think about…
Stanford Medicine Unplugged (formerly SMS Unplugged) is a forum for students to chronicle their experiences in medical school. The student-penned entries appear on Scope once a …