Dark Humor in Medicine, Family Expectations, and The Inviolable “Zone”

The Short Coat: An Inside Look at Getting Into and Getting Through Medical School

Once again, we decide who's the asshole. Dave is joined MD/PhD students Riley Behan-Bush and Miranda Schene, M3 Jeff Goddard, PA2 Julie Vuong, and M2 Holly Hemann for yet another AITA episode on humor in medicine, debating the appropriateness of jokes at others' expense and the limits of comedy among emotionally volatile family members. The group also considers the complexities of family expectations, particularly in cultural contexts where children are perceived to owe careers to their parents' investments. Listener feedback is highlighted, addressing concerns about biased opinions on PA and NP independence discussed in a previous episode. They share candid insights on dealing with criticism and the professional way to handle conflicts between NPs, PAs, and physicians, and dissect themes of academic preparation, sibling rivalry, and the stress of high-stakes professional examinations.