A Doctor’s Life

Life is short; and the art long; and the right time an instant; and the treatment precarious; and the crisis grievous. It is necessary for the physician not only to provide the needed treatment, but to provide for the patient himself, and for those beside him, and to provide for his outside affairs. – Hippocrates Truth is often more engaging than fiction. These stories, of memorable events and people, have been chosen from among experiences gained in over fifty years of medical general practice. – J. L. Joe provided total care for his patients. He was “their doctorâ€?. He delivered their babies’ made house calls to treat acute ear infections, removed their tonsils, provided counseling to troubled teenagers and their parents, treated their pneumonias and heart diseases, and helped them die with peace and dignity. He emphasized and was completely involved with “his patientsâ€?. The role of the family doctor has changed and evolved. We can only hope that physicians, nurses, politicians and economists can provide a model of care within which patients can once again refer to “their doctor’. – Dr. Joe O’Brien M.D.