St. Jude College Dasmarinas Cavite Inc.

Carlos Trinidad Avenue, Salitran IV City of Dasmarinas Cavite

School of Nursing

MC 4 LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS (W 12:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Professor: Mr. Ted Olidana
CHEM LAB
Name: BON, Danica F. Date: Mar. 9, 2023
Year & Section: BSN 2-5 Term: Prelim

Summary, Critique, and Reflection about the movie ‘Patch Adams’

Hunter Adams admits himself to a psychiatric ward in 1969 after trying to

kill himself. Once there, he spent most of his time with his roommate, and with
him, discovers that humor is an essential human quality that impacts his fellow
patients, opening a door of opportunity for his new sense of purpose in life.
Hunter Adams was then called as 'Patch' by Arthur Mendelson, and he continued
using that name as he leaves the mental institution to pursue his passion, to
become a medical doctor. After two years, Patch enrolled himself at the Medical
College of Virginia, being the oldest first-year medical student. As he studies at
the university, he is against the school's unsympathetic approach to providing
patient care. Even if they were not allowed to work with patients until their third
year, Patch was driven enough to help patients and emotionally be connected
with them by entertaining them. He believed that laughter is the best medicine
that helps in improving the patient's quality of life, not just delaying their death.
On the other hand, Patch is despised by the dean of the school, Dean Walcott,
who feels that doctors should treat patients in a certain way and not make friends
with them. Patch develops a friendship with fellow student Carin Fisher, and,
during their third year, he develops an idea to start a medical clinic based on his
philosophy of treating patients with humor and compassion. He purchases 105
acres in West Virginia with the assistance of Arthur Mendelson, a wealthy man
whom he met while in the mental hospital. He transforms an old cottage into a

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 St. Jude College Dasmarinas Cavite Inc.
Carlos Trinidad Avenue, Salitran IV City of Dasmarinas Cavite
School of Nursing
clinic with the help of Carin, medical student Truman Schiff, and some old
friends.

When the Gesundheit clinic is up and running, they rendered care to

patients who do not have enough money for hospitalization and no medical
insurance. Carin and Patch quickly develop a romantic relationship and Patch
reassures Carin that she can get through her pain by helping others after she
tells him that she was molested as a child. One day, Lawrence "Larry" Silver, a
disturbed patient who also came from Mr. Walcott’s hospital, visited the clinic. He
learned how compassionate Carin is, and he abused this as the other night
came, where he shot Carin and immediately committed suicide. When Patch
learned about that, he felt extremely guilty and blamed himself for Carin's death.
He again considers suicide while standing on a cliff. Afterward, he saw a butterfly,
which reminded him of how Carin had always wished she could change into a
butterfly and fly away. Patch decides to dedicate his work to Carin's memory after
being given new life. Walcott soon learns that Patch has been illegally operating
a clinic and practicing medicine without a license and tries to expel him again as
a result of these revelations as well as complaints that he has made his patients
uncomfortable, which was not true. On the advice of his former medical school
roommate, Mitch Roman, Patch files a grievance with the state medical board to
disprove Walcott. Patch was able to persuade the board about his belief that a
doctor's job is to improve the quality of a patient's life. As a result, the board
grants him graduation, despite the fact that they still find some of his methods to
be different. Every medical student and young patient in the room was very
happy as they celebrate Patch Adam's success to proceed in his graduation.
Finally, Patch receives his Doctor of Medicine and bows before the professors
and graduates before removing his cap and gown, revealing his naked body.

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 St. Jude College Dasmarinas Cavite Inc.
Carlos Trinidad Avenue, Salitran IV City of Dasmarinas Cavite
School of Nursing
In terms of critique, one scene that I felt was lacking, was the reason why
Carin went to Larry alone when she knew that he was acting weird the first time
he visited Patch Adam’s clinic. I was shocked about her being killed by Larry
because it was not shown in the movie. I think the reason why Carin went to
Larry with an intention to help to prove that she can also do what Patch can, in
terms of helping people. Also, Larry’s screentime in the movie was so little and I
think the film director should have shown Larry’s storyline so us watchers know
his history and what is his motive to skill Carin. I also expected that at the end of
the movie after Patch’s graduation, Patch will go to the mental institute to visit his
former roommate. I wished that the director made Patch and his roommate in
mental ward meet again because he was the first reason how Patch realized that
his calling is to touch other people’s lives by making a difference.

I would like to start my reflection about this movie by expressing my

gratitude to our Logic professor as he recommended such great movie about
genuine medical care. After watching the movie, I had some realizations in life as
an aspiring nurse. First, the main job of healthcare workers is not just to delay
death, but also to improve their patient’s quality of life. Therefore, once I become
a registered nurse in the future, I hope that I can connect with my patients
emotionally and be ‘that’ kind of nurse who could make a difference in many
patients lives. Second, we must improve our mindset when it comes to solving
real-life problems. Meaning, rather than only focusing on the problem itself, we
must spend more time on focusing with the needs of our patient to hasten their
recovery. Third, it is important for us to know our purpose in life because living
without knowing what you really want to do in life can lead to depression, thinking
that you have no reason to live, just like what had happened to Patch in the
beginning of the movie.

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 St. Jude College Dasmarinas Cavite Inc.
Carlos Trinidad Avenue, Salitran IV City of Dasmarinas Cavite
School of Nursing
In conclusion, watching this movie motivated me to work hard and double
my effort in class so that I can provide the best care possible for the patients I will
be connecting with in the future. Therefore, I would definitely recommend this to
everyone who are studying and working within the medical field.

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