Stages of Development

Abstract

I have to admit to being a little daunted by my first Family Medicine editorial. Family medicine is the specialty that welcomed me into medical education. As a nonclinician, to say I struggle with imposter syndrome in medical education is an understatement. I am so grateful that family medicine physician faculty saw in me, someone with a background in ethics, human development, and education, someone with value to add not only to curriculum but potentially in some way to the care of patients and families. Shortly after being introduced to family medicine as a specialty I was welcomed into STFM, and learned quickly through immersion about the power of the patient story, of listening, and communication as the filters through which clinicians sift dense medical knowledge and patient care processes to iteratively deliver the best care they can given systemic constraints. It was fascinating and maddening and incredible, and it still is (Jen and Janet, if you see this, thank you).