When was the last time you really looked at something—and let uncertainty guide you?
In Episode 2 of Uncertainty in Medicine, we step into the classroom with arts educator Alexa Miller, our “uncertainty correspondent,” to experience an unforgettable lesson she’s been teaching for over 20 years. No PowerPoints. No whiteboards. Just art, and the space to slow down and see differently.
You’ll hear what happened when our team gathered around a mysterious painting (spoiler: The Lovers II by René Magritte) and let our minds wander. What began as a simple exercise in observation quickly opened up bigger questions about trust, vulnerability, and what it means to sit with the unknown.
We dive into Alexa’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of medicine and visual art—and the BOLD framework she’s developed to help clinicians navigate uncertainty with more clarity, compassion, and connection.
From the “golden age of diagnosis” to the rise of imaging tech, from endometriosis misdiagnoses to a radiologist’s three-part way of seeing, this episode covers a lot of ground.
Take a listen to episode 2, “Looking with Uncertainty” below.
With gratitude,
Emily and The Nocturnists Team
Resources for this episode of Uncertainty
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Each month, the ABIM Foundation’s Trust Conversations explore both the challenges and opportunities inherent in establishing trust within health care settings. Join us for their next live event "Managing Uncertainty: A Path to Better Patient Care” on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 1:30-2:30PM ET.
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