485 Learning From Our Patients • Chris McAlister, Bonnie Wright & Maya Suzuki

We say we learn from our patients. But what does that actually mean when you’re in the room, the treatment isn’t going the way you’d anticipated, and the theory leaves you more confused than connected?

In this conversation we are joined by Chris McAlister, Bonnie Wright, and Maya Suzuki for a conversation about learning from the people—and animals—we treat. We’ve all heard the phrase about “learning from our patients.” I wanted to get underneath it a bit: what happens in the uncomfortable and disorienting moments when you realize you don’t know?

We talk about putting your hands on, noticing what changes, and trying to make sense of the response without getting lost in your own ideas. We also discuss practice, teachers, theory, uncertainty, and the question of when to stop or try something else.

There’s a difference between saying the patient is the teacher and actually letting the patient teach you. That difference can be uncomfortable, useful, and hard to put into words. It also makes for a potent conversation. Listen in!