Technical prowess must not come at the cost of good bedside manner – and being able to balance facts with empathy

Some time ago, a judicious and considered surgeon was describing the complex operati…

One of the greatest acts of love is simply bearing witness to the vicissitudes of ageing

Of the many patients over age 75 on my medical unit, half are what providers describe as “young old” and the re…

The vet’s diagnosis of ‘it could be a stomach bug or lymphoma’ was not exactly reassuring but, admittedly, the patient was wagging his tail

Speaking on a panel with me, a paediatric anaesthetist says …

Palliative care decisions are sensitive and complex, but the desire for a good death is as universal as the fact of dying

The uncustomary quiet of a Sunday morning in the emergency department is broke…

After a serious stroke, Mike’s friends rallied around, helping to bring some joy back into his life. His death came as a shock

We are going through the list of overnight admissions when my phone beep…

Many cancer patients suffer sexual health problems but this important quality of life indicator is woefully ignored

It is not often that a cancer patient promises to regale her oncologist with “wild s…

Despite my best efforts, my patient suffers. When we feel thwarted by nature all we can do is cling to hope

“You can’t get this wrong, they grow by themselves!” she laughs.

I love a lush garden and dre…

Difficult news conveyed compassionately and sensitively doesn’t alter the facts but does change the patient experience

“Can I get your professional opinion?” my friend asks. In the 30 years since medi…

For every vigorous elderly person, there are many others whose decline could be addressed with a pragmatic approach

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A colleague calls me abou…