As part of my pediatrics rotation, I recently spent a week taking care of patients at juvenile hall. The patients were physically healthy for the most part; I saw them for screening physicals that they receive while incarcerated. However, these encounters were far more than a typical physical. Instead of focusing on medical issues, we primarily talked about health behaviors and general well-being.
It was a rare opportunity to interact with people who have a completely different set of life experiences than mine. I was talking to 14- and 15-year-old kids who have been involved in robberies and gang violence, and some of whom have multiple children of their own. Given the confidential nature of a doctor’s office, they were often happy to open up about their lives.
Working at juvie was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve shared some of the most quotable moments (with the language cleaned up) in small reflections below.
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