6 word stories

 The 6 word story is a reflective writing exercise using only 6 words. They tend to contain 3 basic elements: conflict, action, and resolution.

Reflective writing can be used by physicians as an avenue to explore intense situations (end of life care, breaking the news of life-altering diagnosis, death, and grieving). Through this medium we reflect on how these situations have impacted us and it provides an opportunity to gain deeper understanding of what out medical practice means to us, our patients, and to others.

Famous example:

“For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” - Ernest Hemingway

Your co-residents’ anonymous musings:

Anxious grip. Rox/Succ. Didn’t wake.

He smoked. He quit. High five!

No transportation? No medicine. So angry!

I thought I would know more.

People want chemo. They don’t realize.

Living in the hospital is not.

Got the sugars, lost a foot.

Photographs in black and white, developing.

Recycling bins disappearing, while people search.

Washing your hands prevents communicable disease.

Gassed up. Two pit stops. Arrived.

Needed a liver, but too drunk.

In by stretcher, out in bag.

Hakuna Matata and Just Keep Swimming.

Asked to write. Did it. GOAT.