In a widely reported incident, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine accused, suspended and expelled medical students for cheating based on faulty data -- and then retracted the decision amidst a large public backlash. During the episode students were allegedly given only 2 minutes to defend themselves and were encouraged to plead guilty. When they complained about the administration online, the school passed a policy on social media that would ban some forms of communication. In this episode, Saul (@SaulWeiner) and Stefan (@StefanKertesz) discuss whether what happened at Dartmouth was an anomaly or emblematic of a dysfunctional and even toxic culture within medical education. And, to the extent that it is the latter, they consider how physicians can be scarred and stunted in ways that diminish their potential as healers. Finally, they reflect on what it would take to bring about transformative change.

A primary care doctor in solo practice in a small mid-west city who is deeply trusted by his patients talks about talking about vaccine hesitancy.

We feel safe and can open up in conversations when there is full and open engagement combined with a clear, respectful sense of personal boundaries. Why are such exchanges so rare and yet so important to medical practice and to the good life?

Physicians are neither judges nor God, and yet we seem prone to judge our patients...and ourselves. Saul and Stefan discuss.

Saul and his research team have listened to and analyzed thousands of audio recordings of medical encounters for clinician attention to the life context of each patient when planning their care. Here is what they've learned.

In Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Bhalla, hear what makes for a good fit for a long term career practicing medicine and leading projects in international settings

A physician describes what attracted her to international medicine where she's worked for Doctors Without Borders in many challenging places. Guest: Naina Bhalla MD, MPH

Intro and Outro are Prelude by J.S Bach, arranged by Sophocles Papas, with permission from Carl Fischer. Also, Largo from Four Seasons by Vivaldi, arranged Per-Olov Kindgren. Guitar played by Saul Weiner.

Stefan interviews Saul about his experiences becoming a doctor with a learning disability, leading to questions such as: Does struggling with multiple choice tests mean you won't be a good doctor? How do grades shape our self image and the culture of medicine?

What should a doctor do when a patient behaves in a way that doesn't seem to make sense? Saul and Stefan discuss a case.