Leah Kaminsky writes in her Introduction that ‘Every patient has a story to tell, if only you take the time to listen’ (xi). Not all of the pieces selected for The Pen and the Stethoscope reflect this directly, but most are good examples of showing what it means to be a doctor, and care for the sick.There are three non-fiction pieces that are outstanding for the quality of the writing, the insight and the sensitivity with which their truths are revealed. Danielle Ofri in ‘Intensive Care’ tells us the story of her time with Dr Sitkin, an intensive care specialist who was loud and irreverent. He made jokes about patients, was intimdiating to other staff and to the interns, and went from bed to bed in the ward round saying ‘Dead. Dead. Dead’ because those patients were very sick—metastatic cancer, multiple amputations, multiple organ failure—and dying slowly but no one wanted to own up to it. He explained:
I have nothing against dying—it’s a noble process—but it should be done at home or in a regular medical bed. Not in the ICU. This is the place to give intensive care when there is a possibility of meaningful recovery. We’re not a hospice here. (63)
Continued at M/C Reviews 'words'.
