The Day After: Primary Care in a Post-Election Landscape.

Smith, Riley · Ann Fam Med · 2025

Level V

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Abstract

This narrative essay explores the intersection of health care, politics, and identity from my perspective as a family physician on the day following the consequential and polarizing 2024 US presidential election. I recall and grapple with the profound grief, anxiety, and uncertainty expressed by my patients, particularly those from marginalized communities, as they face threats to their health care and very identities. These experiences highlight the tension between professional neutrality and our moral imperative to advocate for vulnerable populations.

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