Through the Eyes of a Spouse
Resident Other blogs what it’s like to be a spouse of a medical resident.
When I started this blog I was still pretty able to look outside in to the medical world and school, but no more. I’ve drunk the Koolaid, and my perspective is shit.
An upper classman spoke at our orientation. She remarked that while most people believe medicine to be so altruistic, it’s often the most selfish career path there is. We in the field ask so much from those we care about–our friends, family, partners–that have to tolerate our hectic schedules, stressful lives, and times we aren’t there for them.
I’ve been intrigued about what people mean by the expression “drink the Koolaid.”
I assume it is not literally about the effects of drinking store-bought Koolaid.
Most likely, it is a reference to the Jonestown tragedy.
See the web-site for the American Experience overview just aired on PBS:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/jonestown/
But in that case, drinking the Koolaid meant to commit suicide under orders of a crazed, totalitarian leader.
I don’t think that’s what you meant.
It’s now taken on a more global definition:
To completely buy into an idea or system, whether good or bad.