Cultivating the Inner Life of a Physician Through Written Reflection

All of us have an "inner life" that forms the core of who we are. It shapes and is shaped by our actions and experiences. During physician training, attention to residents' inner life requires a focus on their beliefs and emotions as well as their ethical and spiritual development, topics often considered to be outside the realm of clinical training and practice. We suggest that written reflections, as part of medical residency curriculum, can allow residents to explore their inner lives. The depth and range of residents' explorations show the value of adding brief, protected time for residents to explore their hopes, joys, struggles, and feelings, and to develop meaning from their experiences with patients.