"Amazing book on compassionate medicine and learning about how to help others in ways that make the most sense to them. Opens up a lot of ideas about multidimensional ways of understanding well-being." - Ben

On Becoming a Healer: The Journey from Patient Care to Caring about Your Patients, written by Dr. Saul J. Weiner, is a transformative book that delves into the art of compassionate medicine and emphasizes the importance of truly understanding patients' needs in a multidimensional context. Dr. Weiner, a professor of medicine, pediatrics, and medical education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, shares his insights and experiences to guide premed students and aspiring physicians on their journey towards becoming empathetic, patient-centered healers.

For premed students preparing for a career in medicine, this book offers invaluable guidance on how to cultivate a deep sense of compassion and genuine care for patients. By exploring various aspects of well-being, Dr. Weiner encourages students to consider patients as unique individuals with diverse needs, rather than simply focusing on treating their symptoms or diseases. This approach fosters a more holistic understanding of healthcare, helping future physicians to develop strong connections with their patients and make a meaningful difference in their lives.

On Becoming a Healer also provides practical advice for students on how to navigate the challenges and complexities of the medical profession while maintaining their empathy and humanity. The book emphasizes the importance of active listening, effective communication, and adaptability in addressing patients' concerns and creating tailored care plans that truly resonate with them.

In summary, On Becoming a Healer is a powerful resource for premed students seeking to develop the qualities and skills necessary to excel as compassionate, patient-centered physicians. By embracing the principles laid out by Dr. Weiner, students can embark on a fulfilling journey towards becoming not just healthcare providers, but true healers in the lives of their patients.

When we need help, we count on doctors to put us back together. But what happens when doctors fall apart?

Funny, fresh, and deeply affecting, We Are All Perfectly Fine is the story of a married mother of three on the brink of personal and professional collapse who attends rehab with a twist: a meditation retreat for burned-out doctors.

"One of the premiere books on what it means to be a physician and the toll it has on the soul. If you want to talk about burnout and the hard truth of being a doctor, read this. Learn from Jillian Horton, a Canadian internist, and her struggles in the Canadian medical system from the outside and inside." - Eric

We Are All Perfectly Fine: A Memoir of Love, Medicine and Healing, penned by Dr. Jillian Horton, is an insightful and candid account of a physician's journey through the challenges and pressures of the medical profession. The book documents her experience at a meditation retreat for burned-out doctors, where she uncovers the systemic issues that contribute to physician burnout and the importance of compassion in healing oneself and others.

For premed students, this memoir provides an honest look at the often unspoken emotional and mental toll that a career in medicine can take on healthcare professionals. By delving into Dr. Horton's personal struggles and those of her fellow retreat attendees, the book sheds light on the rarely acknowledged stresses that can lead to depression and even suicide among physicians. Through this understanding, future doctors can better prepare themselves for the reality of practicing medicine and the importance of self-care and emotional well-being.

The memoir also emphasizes the need for physicians to embrace compassion, not just in treating patients but also in caring for themselves. By acknowledging and addressing the challenging emotions that come with the medical profession, doctors can find a path to healing and resilience.

In essence, We Are All Perfectly Fine serves as a powerful reminder to premed students of the importance of self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional intelligence in their journey to becoming competent and empathetic physicians. By learning from Dr. Horton's experiences, students can cultivate a greater understanding of the challenges and rewards of a career in medicine and strive to prioritize their own well-being along with that of their patients.

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) by Health Canada is a crucial concept for premed students to understand as it highlights the various personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and population health. These factors include income, education, employment, childhood experiences, physical environments, social supports, coping skills, access to health services, biology, genetics, gender, culture, and race.

Understanding the SDOH is essential for premed students because it emphasizes the importance of considering a patient's social and economic context when providing medical care. By being familiar with the SDOH, future physicians can recognize and address health inequalities and work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Health inequalities refer to differences in health status between individuals and groups, which can be due to genetics, lifestyle choices, or social determinants. Health inequity, on the other hand, refers to health inequalities that are unfair, unjust, and modifiable. Health equity seeks to reduce these inequalities and increase access to opportunities and conditions conducive to health for all.

Premed students can prepare as future physicians by integrating the knowledge of SDOH into their practice, advocating for policies that address these determinants, and working collaboratively with other sectors to improve health equity. By acknowledging and addressing the SDOH, premed students can develop a more holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing health disparities within the population.