There was a time when medicine was what many of us would call “fun.” Not because illness, suffering, or death were ever enjoyable, but because our focus was simple: do our best for patients and support one another. As healthcare has evolved, many advances have undoubtedly improved care, yet not all change has been positive. When I was a young doctor, we took notes with pen and paper and wrote orders by hand. It was not perfect, and it was not always fast, but it did not chain us to computer screens.
We did not spend large portions of the day navigating electronic systems, logging in and out, or struggling to complete discharge instructions and prescriptions. A Hospital That Felt Like Family Back then, hospitals often functioned like close-knit communities. A nurse might approach a doctor and say, “I injured my ankle and it’s been hurting for days. Could you take a look?” The doctor…
