October 25, 2026
avatar-torie-bosch
First Opinion Editor

One of the most common types of First Opinion submissions calls for adding something to the medical school curriculum. It makes sense: People want their future doctors to know more about health care costs, or a new diagnosis, or a specific patient population. But I rarely get pieces that suggest what can come out of medical school to make room for new subjects.

That tension has been at the back of my mind for a while. Now, as AI becomes ever more deeply embedded in the practice of medicine, I’ve been thinking: This is a great moment for reconsidering what medical school should look like. What topics should be added? What should be removed? What are some ways to make medical school more affordable? How should the very structure of medical school change?

So in November and December, I’ll be running a series of pieces in which medical school leaders, physicians, and students argue for particular changes — big or small — that they’d like to see in medical school.

I have several pieces already planned, but I want a few more. If you have an idea for how to change medical school and want to write about it, email me. I want ideas from everyone from patients to medical school dropouts to deans. Proposals can be wild and ambitious, but also small-bore. I’m excited to see what you all come up with!

***

Now for a little shameless self-promotion: This week, I wrote my own First Opinion, about medical aid in dying, serious mental illness, and my very smart, very troubled mother. It’s not a fun piece, but I hope you’ll read it.

Recommendation of the week: I’m a sucker for a horror film about societal issues. “Pure,” from Hulu’s 2019 “Into the Dark” horror anthology, is a supernatural story set at a father-daughter religious retreat culminating in a purity ball. It’s spooky and thought-provoking.



Nathan Fielder (left) and Elizabeth Holmes in the new film "You Can See Everything."
Courtesy A24

I was a Theranos whistleblower. In ‘You Can See Everything,’ Elizabeth Holmes is still lying

Theranos whistleblower Tyler Shultz, in a First Opinion essay, describes what you don't see in Nathan Fielder's ‘You Can See Everything.’ Contains spoilers.

By Tyler Shultz


It took me 13 years to be diagnosed with MS. Christina Applegate’s misdiagnosis doesn’t surprise me

Christina Applegate is not alone: Multiple sclerosis is misdiagnosed in 15%-20% of cases, writes an author with MS.

By Lindsay Karp


Overdose deaths have plunged. We need to know why

What's behind the biggest public health reversal in decades

By J. Travis Donahoe, David T. Zhu,and Michael L. Barnett


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What I got wrong about the Affordable Care Act — and how to fix it

An economist involved with Affordable Care Act passage says its failure to rein in health care costs offers a lesson on reforms like Medicare for All.

By Dana P. Goldman


The inherited disease my family called ‘it’ had a name, which changed everything

After an unnamed disease took Miranda Pappas’ grandmother, mother, and sister, she learned that it has a name: FENIB.

By Miranda Pappas


Measles is back — and becoming a midterm liability for Republicans

Two physicians and former Republican members of Congress warn that polling shows vaccine criticism is a losing issue for the GOP.

By Larry Bucshon and Michael C. Burgess


Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

How knocking on doors can help beat measles — again

Community-led efforts are among the best ways to push back against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and polio.

By Raj Panjabi


Replication is necessary even if scientists do everything right

The NIH’s Council of Council worries replication initiatives may unfairly undermine confidence in scientists’ work. That’s not what replication is about.

By Mark Louie F. Ramos


New Medicare policies will keep important pain relief from some patients

Medicare policies issued by five regional Medicare Administrative Contractors will restrict coverage for diagnosing, treating chronic pain.

By Antje M. Barreveld


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Resident physicians may lose some of their most important work hour protections

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education wants to weaken rules protecting time off between shifts for resident physicians.

By Arifeen Rahman


My mother killed herself. I wish assisted suicide had been an option

Canada has suspended plans to permit assisted suicide for mental illness. It may be the wrong decision.

By Torie Bosch


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