Stories
What Emily Post Has To Teach Us About Cultural Competency in the Clinical Encounter
In my essay “Fighting to Heal,” I described my relationship with a former prizefighter who must undergo a kidney transplant. There was some concern about his ability to trust the medical establishment but the fears were allayed by the patient’s trust in me. My boxing background and familiarity with its culture helped in my solid doctor–…
Read MoreMedicine’s First Responders: The Unselfish Dedication of Nurses
In the interest of patient care the Massachusetts Nurses Association seeks legislation to put a limit on the number of patients assigned to an individual nurse. They request one nurse to care for four patients in the non-ICU setting and a one to one ratio in the ICU. A recent editorial in The Wall Street…
Read MoreSince You’re Going To Die Anyway
You know, Doctor that every year I look forward to your Christmas card. It’s always the first to arrive. I wait for it. It starts the season. It’s not politically correct, it’s always something religious. But then you and your brother are really into religion. That’s why you forgave them. I’m better now, but not…
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