Reflection

REFLECTION

Rotation at a residential facility I’ll always remember

A place full of children with uncontrolled anger

Sitting in the room with no window, poor ventilation

Pre- Charting with full concentration

What is that noise? Who is banging on my door?

Why is this eleven-year-old acting like he is four?

Come talk to me, please don’t run

What are your problems? Tell me one by one

Put me on ‘doubles’, don’t ask me why

You increased the quetiapine, oh my!

I refuse to take medicine that needs a blood level!

I’ll start you on oxcarbazepine, please settle

Anxiously waiting for rounds to begin

Staring at the I pad, Attending please log in

Alright dear Fellow, tell me some more

In Treatment Team what did you explore?

It seems today the number of patients is ten

How many holds? How many PRN?

Should we maximize the dose?

What about the side effects? that is cutting it close.

Hey Child! talk to me again, my supervisor is online

Unfortunately, at this moment he chooses to decline!

Phone calls made, medicine ordered, notes are in

I most certainly call this a win!

Four months gone, time for a new start

I leave this place with a heavy heart

This place, the staff, the children have grown on me

Leaving them in capable hands of our new Fellow to see

Statement by the author Maryam Tariq MD

”Reflection” is a narrative poem inspired by my experience as a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow during a residential treatment rotation. It explores the emotional and cognitive challenges of working with psychiatrically complex children, highlighting key aspects of training such as medication management, patient resistance, and team collaboration. The poem serves as both a personal reflection and an educational tool, offering insights into the therapeutic alliance, supporting medical learners, and fostering resilience.  

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