In This Issue: Continuity, Relationships, and the Illusion of a Steady State

Kurt C. Stange

doi:10.1370/afm.2216

Published eLetters

If you would like to comment on this article, click on Submit a Response to This article, below. We welcome your input.

Submit a Response to This Article

Compose eLetter

Title *

Author Information

Contributors
First Name and Middle Initial * First or given name, e.g. 'Peter'. Last Name * Your last, or family, name, e.g. 'MacMoody'. Email Address * Your email address, e.g. higgs-boson@gmail.com Occupation * Your role and/or occupation, e.g. 'Orthopedic Surgeon'. Affiliation * Your organization or institution (if applicable), e.g. 'Royal Free Hospital'.

Statement of Competing Interests

Competing interests? *

Yes

Please describe the competing interests

Vertical Tabs

Jump to comment:

Points of light
Ira S Kastenberg

Published on: 10 January 2019

Published on: (10 January 2019)
Page navigation anchor for Points of light
Points of light
Ira S Kastenberg, retired physician
Other Contributors:
Regardless of political affiliation, I frequently think of the first President Bush's thousand points of light. At one point I believe doctors' offices were one of those points of light for many patients. A location where a patient could feel safe, trust, and a sense that medical people there were covering your back and looking out for you. Now too often doctor's office is just the opposite. From the receptionist on the...
Show More

Regardless of political affiliation, I frequently think of the first President Bush's thousand points of light. At one point I believe doctors' offices were one of those points of light for many patients. A location where a patient could feel safe, trust, and a sense that medical people there were covering your back and looking out for you. Now too often doctor's office is just the opposite. From the receptionist on the phone who doesn't seem to know what you're talking about. To the inability to get info about what a visit will cost. To insurance hassles. Doctors on limited time schedules. Lack of any sense of humanity in the action of pointing and clicking at computers. (no matter how valuable the emr is) Too many medical encounters now are the opposite of point of light. But rather a source of frustration for the patient. A sense that the medical community is much much more about making money then covering a patient's back.
Competing interests: None declared
Show Less

Competing Interests: None declared.