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| Welcome to www.mckersie.com |
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| Name |
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Dr. Kevin Bennett (Columbia, SC) |
| Date |
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May 9, 2006 |
| In his book "In the Foothills of Medicine," Dr. Robert McKersie takes the reader through his days training as a resident in Chicago. His descriptions of meaningful patient encounters illustrate the rigors of medical training, and its toll on the human psyche. Dr. McKersie's openness with his personal emotions during these encounters is in stark contrast to the clinical discussions of anatomy, disease progression, and health statistics. The dichotomy of these two styles gives the reader a unique insight into the mind of a physician, who must be systematic, rational, and detached in their medical diagnosing, all the while struggling with their own humanity and frailty. It is clear that Dr. McKersie learned not only how to heal patients more effectively during this time, but also learned how to heal his own wounds, and how to reconcile the conflicting emotions. These lessons were learned not just in the ICU, but in the waiting room and in the community at large. These vignettes are bookended by descriptions of the author's travels in Nepal to support and train native medical providers. While those of us who live in the U.S. think of how underdeveloped many third-world nations are, the practice of medicine is not all that dissimilar. In fact, these Nepalese have greater access to healthcare services than many Americans do, as the socialized nature of Nepal's national health care system is open to all its citizens In contrast, Dr. McKersie's experiences detail how fractured the U.S. health care system truly is. For those who are earn too much to qualify for public assistance (in the form of Medicaid), not old enough for Medicare, or are too poor to afford private insurance, the system is tragically difficult to navigate. With so-called safety net facilities, like the one in Chicago Dr. McKersie trained in, these patients can seek care without concern for cost. Unfortunately, the preventive care and continuity of care necessary for disease management is not available to many. While the Nepalese struggle with supply, proximity, and availability of medical care, many Americans are surrounded by abundant supply that cannot be tapped without the requisite finances. This book would be a good read not only for those contemplating entering the medical field and those already practicing medicine, but for anyone who has ever had to interact with the health care system. The author's insights give the reader an appreciation of the struggles of practicing medicine in the current environment, where red tape and financial concerns often take precedent over appropriate medical care. It is refreshing to see a physician continue to struggle with these conflicts, and strive to engender a desire in future physicians to continue the struggle as well. |
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