As we arrive at the airport’s drop site for oversize luggage, I see a build-up of probably 30 fifty-pound ski bags waiting to be processed with 2 tired ladies whom I suspect would like nothing more than an afternoon off. Immediately I think that my skis might not make it to the plane; so IContinue reading “The best in others… 2.0”
Author Archives: martinphamdinh
On emotional intelligence in the field…
There is a lot of knowledge out there on the subject of emotional intelligence but it is difficult to apply it in the real world and explain it to people in ways that resonate with their experience so that words become meaningful. Let me try by using a real world example. I am sharing aContinue reading “On emotional intelligence in the field…”
Protected: The making of a father…
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
On collective emotions at times of war…
The stories we share can change the world. The narrative that unfolds in the Ukraine vs Russia conflict is spreading a wave of hope. Support not just from countries but also from people all over the world is growing. The news show Russian bombing residential buildings. The worldwide talk about 13 courageous Ukranians giving RussianContinue reading “On collective emotions at times of war…”
Protected: A simple touch…
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
On raising a kid with 5 phrases, 19 words, 80 characters
I have recently decided to follow the shortest recipe to raise my teenager. Why do complicated when I can do simple? From now on, I will devote all efforts to inspire my son to use, and to help him understand the power of 5 simple phrases: Thank you! I am sorry I … I loveContinue reading “On raising a kid with 5 phrases, 19 words, 80 characters”
Our polarizing views…
As we are coming out of a pandemic that has tested our resilience, I must admit that, when I look at the state of our world, I am worried. Our planet is struggling with global warming and the destruction of life’s habitat. Our economies are struggling with inflation. Our political world is divided. Our societiesContinue reading “Our polarizing views…”
La médecine d’urgence, le traumatisme indicible…
J’ai commencé à pratiquer la médecine d’urgence le 1er juillet 2000. Je sortais tout juste de ma résidence en médecine familiale. Rempli d’optimisme, alimenté par la passion, mû par la compassion, j’aimais vraiment ce travail. J’aimais tellement mon travail que je me souviens avoir regardé la série télévisée ER pendant mes jours de congé. JeContinue reading “La médecine d’urgence, le traumatisme indicible…”
Emergency medicine, the untold trauma…
I started practicing emergency medicine on July 1st, 2000. I was freshly out of my family medicine residency. Filled with optimism, fueled by passion, driven by compassion, I truly enjoyed this work. I loved my work so much that I remember watching the TV series ER during my days off. I became my work, andContinue reading “Emergency medicine, the untold trauma…”
Au sujet des préjugés…
(This original post is in French because the video it refers to is in French – Translation below) Il est normal d’avoir des préjugés, il est encore mieux de les dépasser et de s’en libérer. Écoutez la voix de cette homme, dépassez votre jugement sur son apparence, vous recevrez un grand cadeau… des mots siContinue reading “Au sujet des préjugés…”
Why I did not go into psychiatry 25 years ago…
“The problem with modern psychiatry… You’re sad, you fit the DMS-V criteria for depression, let me prescribe you an anti-depressant, I’ll see you again in 5 weeks and we’ll make eye contact”. – Paul Conti This morning, I listened to Paul Conti and Peter Attia’s discussion on trauma “How to heal from trauma andContinue reading “Why I did not go into psychiatry 25 years ago…”
On root causes…
Many of the problems we face individually relate to our lack of humility, impatience, our inability to project ourselves in the far future to see the consequences of our actions, and our willingness to exchange love offered for pleasure received. Many of the problems we face globally relate to our lack of humility, impatience, ourContinue reading “On root causes…”
On being an inspirational teacher
Having the privilege to teach clinical communication to doctors, I spend a lot of time thinking and reflecting on what makes a good teacher. In meetings with my group, we spend a lot of time polishing our powerpoints and presentation skills. I get how important it is. Good content delivered by a good presenter willContinue reading “On being an inspirational teacher”
Good food begins with good ingredients…
Monday night dinner ingredients: fresh vegetables, salmon, fettuccini, homemade alfredo sauce. I am not sure if I will serve these separately or mix them together. It does not matter. Whatever combination of ingredients I pick, I am sure it will be good because good food starts with good ingredients. I don’t need to publish theContinue reading “Good food begins with good ingredients…”
Our moral compass…
“May our philosophy keep pace with our technology.May our compassion keep pace with our powers.May love, not fear be the engine of change.” – Edmond Langdon I like this quote, taken from an unlikely source. This morning, I was sent an article by a friend. It describes the potential fall of the American culture. AContinue reading “Our moral compass…”
My wish for the new year
On the last day of every year, it is my habit to look back and appreciate the passage of our most precious resource: time. The previous 365 days and 5,76 hours have been memorable in so many ways that I have trouble assimilating what I feel. Thankfully, there was more joy than sorrow. I amContinue reading “My wish for the new year”
On inspiring our kids…
I wrote this on December 30, 2015… it is still so relevant that I’ve decided to share it. Yesterday, I was talking with my brother about the challenge of teaching my son the technique of skiing. I am very proud to have ignited in my son the passion for skiing. Teaching him the skills toContinue reading “On inspiring our kids…”
COVID Omicron and our healthcare system…
I was in the hospital elevator this morning with my little surgical mask and three people. I realized that the network will struggle with an aerosolised virus that passes through masks without difficulty, infects vaccinees without problems and is frequently transmitted from an asymptomatic person. The crisis in the network will be, in part, aContinue reading “COVID Omicron and our healthcare system…”
The meaning of Christmas…
Every year, when December comes, I try to think of ways to share with my son what Christmas really means. At 10 years old, Liam understands that Christmas is a precious moment to spend time with the people we love. He also agrees that it’s a good time to say thank you to the peopleContinue reading “The meaning of Christmas…”
A midlife compassionate inquiry…
On the horizon, I see the frontier of a significant milestone in my life… I have two years to savour before entering the second half-century of my existence. Nothing changes at fifty, but we are forced to see that time flies much faster than expected. This recognition pushes me to look back at what wasContinue reading “A midlife compassionate inquiry…”
The quiet moments…
Sitting on my couch in the living room, I am slowly being warmed by occasionally sipping a cup of warm coffee. Beautiful music fills the room, piano and strings create a rainbow of harmonious sounds in “The best holiday season ever” by Fernando Velazquez. I just put a log in the fireplace and started aContinue reading “The quiet moments…”
On saving healthcare…
Every day, I read, see and hear news about our healthcare system. Every day, I talk to patients and doctors. I have come to see that we all want the same thing: better care. And yes, when I say “we,” I did not forget the other people too… nurses, therapists, social workers, managers, clerks, cleaningContinue reading “On saving healthcare…”
Our values embodied in a morning meeting at the office…
Once in a while, I invite people who make my work possible to share a meal and discuss issues that come up in our work. The pandemic forced us to take a two-year break from this habit and I am happy that we are starting to resume what is looking like to a new normality.Continue reading “Our values embodied in a morning meeting at the office…”
On losing a child…
Six years I sat on my writings on this difficult subject. October 18, 2015 is forever scarred in my life. I do not know how time heals this kind of trauma but I wanted to respect the family’s need to process this imaginable grief in the privacy of their home. With their blessing, I nowContinue reading “On losing a child…”
The simple pleasure of failed experiments…
Me and my son, we wanted to reverse engineer the secret of the Caramilk with it’s soft caramel center. We played with sugar, butter, cream and chocolate for the last 2 weeks. First we learned to make salty, soft and creamy caramel… it took us at least 3 batches to get it right. Yesterday, weContinue reading “The simple pleasure of failed experiments…”
Martin Pham Dinh 