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The Article in Brief
The Untaught Lesson
Ruth Kannai
Background n/a
What This Study Found An essay by a family physician about her fellow physician, friend and mentor who died from a rare type of cancer explores the many unexpected lessons learned from the experience of her colleague's illness and passing. She reflects on her frustration and deep disappointment with her friend's final choices that prevented them from sharing their feelings and deepest thoughts. She writes that while we may never fully comprehend the complex fabric of culture, personality, conditions, community, family and other factors that converge to ultimately determine a patient's decisions, this experience helped her to better understand and accept the preferences of patients and others close to her.
