by Michael Barthman
Creativity
The budding medical student examines the patient, exploring every symptom and recording every detail. The abdomen is… kind of tender? The story is just as ambiguous. The patient’s account disorients her: he dodges questions, forgets answers, and at times, prickles. The patient says too much or too little. Nothing lines up. Each piece of information generates more uncertainty. Being a doctor seemed like it would depend on commanding a vast knowledge. She is finding that in the practice of medicine, knowledge alone is inadequate.