|
|
Article: Maybe It's Time to Slow Down the Pace of Medical Treatment
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 15, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
"This felt more like a tea party than a doctor's appointment," a
patient observed as we wrapped up our first clinic visit.
I had served him tea and even poured a cup for myself. But what
really impressed him was that we sipped our brews at leisure and
even got a refill.
My patient had just been the recipient of a rare and highly
valued medical commodity, a treatment that is as quantifiable in its
effects as the milligrams of a medication or the number of stitches
in a wound: Time.
Ten years ago, as I contemplated opening my own family medical
practice, "more time" was my mantra. I had spent several years
working in both private and public clinics and desperately wanted to
escape the ...