Memories, Medicine & Moods
Blogs
- 1/23/2024
Please, please don’t ask me
I love being recognized on the street, especially by former patients. But lately, it’s a curse as everyone is begging and pleading for my help in finding a family doctor. - 1/7/2024
The holy grail of patient care
If you know the story of knights seeking the grail, you'll know the lesson Percival learns the hard way by failing to ask awkward questions. - 11/28/2023
Slipping
In the literature on medical errors there is a concept called the ‘Swiss Cheese Effect.’ This happens in real life, too. - 9/25/2023
Lessons on medical education from the tennis court
Last week, I was watching a learner doing a first prenatal visit. She was asking all the routine questions without preamble or explanation. I could see the couple getting more and more anxious. - 8/24/2023
Ethel Bruneau: An elegy to a dance legend
I delivered four of Suzanne's five children over the years—but her mother gave one of my children a magical gift, too. - 7/13/2023
The next time you see me, I will be a Grandpapa
A discussion on the transformative power of love combined with directness gets squeezed in between buying cheeses at the market. - 6/26/2023
The problem with ‘geezering’
Things absolutely were better back in my day . . . some of the time. - 6/14/2023
The hero’s journey
In myth, a hero may refuse the call to adventure, becoming mired in denial. I recently watched a resident with a young patient with diabetes. Already on max oral meds, his latest tests showed beginnings of complications in the eyes, feet and kidneys. - 5/17/2023
Gossip and the art of storytelling
Inching towards retirement, somewhat reluctantly, I've pondered what I ought to do with myself once I finally take the plunge. - 5/8/2023
A physician of a certain age
I liked it better when my cohort was exhausted by attending each other's weddings, rather than the perpetual funeral arrangements I find myself making these days. But, death is something physicians all must learn about first hand. - 4/18/2023
Distinguishing the capable from the dangerous
Recently I took part in a practice SOO for two different McGill teaching units. Many complain about this this exam but with something so high stakes as licensure, I'd argue we need it. - 3/9/2023
'Opener of the womb': The burden and privilege of being the first born
Doctors have a tendency to be first-born or only children, myself included. Why are we the way that we are?