The Doctor’s Bag: A Rhyme for the graduating class of 2022

A/Prof. Julia Harrison

Congratulations they said
You’re a doctor, as of now
Sign this, take that
A doctor’s bag, wow

Carry this with you always
Wherever you go
You might save a life
You just never know

Only the essentials
No room for things petty
Move fast, travel light
And always be ready

Adrenaline, atropine
GTN spray
Puffers, benztropine
A guedel airway

But that’s not what I needed
With my fresh credentials
Aspects of character
Were more essential essentials

The work of a doctor
Is challenging indeed
Every ounce of capacity
Will help you succeed

You’ve knowledge and skills
Ward smarts off the chart
This message is about
The role of your heart

Doctors’ bags for new grads
Are something historic
And just to be clear
This rhyme’s metaphoric

What I think you need
If up to me to choose
Is a nice doctor’s bag
In which to carry virtues

Which virtues to pick
To keep you equipped
I’ve got a top three
Read on for the script

Love, variable dose
Through action or word
Apply liberally
Don’t forget, love’s a verb

Love is work and helping
Doing your best for others
A sense that all people
Are sisters and brothers

Love gives the energy
To turn up with purpose
It’s part of the job
Your role’s one of service

Humility, 10mls
Whenever you stumble
Swallow the medicine
It’s good to be humble

It will keep you on track
Open and teachable
A long term effect
Is hopes become reachable

Humility and excellence
An oft association
We educators know
The link is causation

Courage, one big puff
Start high dose and routine
But by Feb or March
you might start to wean

Keep the puffer on hand
PRN will work well
You’ll need it a lot
Some days will be hell

So that’s my top three
You can always add more
This bag never fills
Here’s number four

Humour, titrate to a smile
Enjoy this pharmaceutic
Life’s short after-all
And laughing’s therapeutic

Enough of this rhyme
Lest it start to flag
Three cheers for you
And remember your bag

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A/Prof. Julia Harrison
Emergency Physician
Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at SCS Monash Health
Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
MNHS Alumna