Caroline Niederman

Medical professionals carry a long mental check list with them as they enter the exam room door, all needing to be done in a set amount of time. Often enough time for the routine patient. But time rapidly ticks by if the patient looks normal, has normal test results and yet feels unwell. What if the key for physicians to understand and help these patients is not more time but by synchronizing their linear, predictable clock with the patients’ wonky and non-linear, clock. Dr. Caroline Niederman uses her medical background, journey with a chronic invisible illness and two Disney Fairy tales to bring to life the stop and start journey these patients are on so they can be seen and outlines a path for physicians and patients to partner for effective long term care once their respective clocks are coordinated.