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Metaphors and Medicine (Year III): Chapter 2

Knock. 
Sanitize. 
Introduce yourself. 
Excuse yourself for interrupting their breakfast. 
Find a seat if possible to sit at their level, to speak to them, rather than speak down at them. 
Hope they’re feeling better. 
Hear their progress and celebrate even the little milestones. 
Let them vent their complaints, their worries, their misfortune to have this happen to them.
 Listen to their heart. Listen to their heart. Listen to their heart. 
Make a plan. Walk more. 
We want you walking more. 
Encourage them to stick to it. 
Hold them accountable by reminding them you’ll be back to hear about more progress, to cheer on their progress. 
We want you better. 

We want to help you be better, feel better, look better, sleep better. 

Go around, see more patients, repeat repeat repeat. 
Finish note. 
Write the next one. 
Sign sign sign. 
Hope you didn’t forget anything. 
Take a sip of liquid luck, pray for more energy. 
Make your way to the next task. 
Wait for the elevator. 
Peak to your left. 
Notice that your patient is walking. 
Walking slowly, but walking. 
Following the plan. 
Listened to your encouragement. 
Walking. 
Small progress is progress. 
Smile. 
Believe you’re in the right place, sleep-deprived and all. 
Your heart is in the right place.

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