Friends,
Time in medicine is rarely straightforward. It can speed up in moments of crisis, drag on during long diagnostic delays, or stretch indefinitely in the face of chronic illness. This week, we explore how time and uncertainty are intertwined in the practice of medicine:
A toxicologist faces a split-second decision in the ER that could mean life or death for a young patient
A woman with chronic ankle pain spends years searching for answers as dozens of doctors offer snap diagnoses and failed treatments
A rheumatologist navigates the slow, murky waters of autoimmune disease, where diagnosis and treatment often unfold over months or years
And a couple reckons with the long-term implications of a rare and unpredictable heart condition.
Through these stories, we see how uncertainty can stretch time out endlessly or collapse it into a single moment—and how, in medicine, working with time rather than fighting against it is often the only way forward.
Warm regards,
Emily and The Nocturnists Team
Resources for this episode
From Friends of The Nocturnists: Listen to Tradeoffs
Looking for a podcast that makes sense of the latest health policy debates? Tradeoffs blends rigorous research, thoughtful conversations, and compelling storytelling to help you understand the stakes—and the potential solutions—to health care’s toughest choices. New episodes drop every Thursday. Subscribe to Tradeoffs wherever you get your podcasts.
New Interactive Display Explores Shame in the Medicine
A new interactive exhibition at the University of Exeter delves into the often-overlooked emotion of shame within the medical profession. The display features 11 digital collages by Italian artist Beppe Conti, each paired with audio excerpts from The Nocturnists "Shame in Medicine: The Lost Forest," series. This initiative aims to shed light on the pervasive yet unspoken experiences of shame among healthcare professionals.
Join the conversation virtually or in person at the Shame and Medicine Conference on June 11 & 12 2025 to exploring how shame shapes healthcare practice, education, and ethics.
Featured Episodes
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Want to get in touch?
Recommend a guest, become a sponsor, or give us feedback.
