You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply alone. Laurel, Hạ, and Austen unpack how loneliness shows up in medical training and practice—not as physical isolation, but as emotional and social disconnection. They reflect on when loneliness hits hardest, when it eases, and what helps them feel seen in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores how disconnection among clinicians shapes the care we give and the relationships we build with patients.
You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply alone. Laurel, Hạ, and Austen unpack how loneliness shows up in medical training and practice—not as physical isolation, but as emotional and social disconnection. They reflect on when loneliness hits hardest, when it eases, and what helps them feel seen in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores how disconnection among clinicians shapes the care we give and the relationships we build with patients.
Intern year is a whirlwind—one filled with overwhelming responsibility, steep learning curves, and moments of deep self-doubt. It is the year new doctors step into roles that test their stamina, skills, and sense of self—all while learning how to care for others and themselves at the same time.
Mariam and Lilly open up about the emotional and physical toll of residency's first year. Through honest reflection, they explore the differences and parallels in their experiences, from coping with the stress and anxiety of long hours to confronting the high expectations that do not always match the realities of their knowledge and training. They share hard-earned insights, small victories, and gentle reminders that even when it feels like you are barely keeping up, you are still doing a good job—and that matters.