PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Richard E. Allen
TI  - Stuck in the Mud
AID  - 10.1370/afm.756
DP  - 2008 Jan 01
TA  - The Annals of Family Medicine
PG  - 80--82
VI  - 6
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/6/1/80.short
4100  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/6/1/80.full
SO  - Ann Fam Med2008 Jan 01; 6
AB  - The reservation was a littered muddy wasteland, and its population endured poor health, not unlike a third world country. Native American patients suffered from conditions of squalor, alcoholism, diabetes, and drug abuse. I was initially enthusiastic to serve this population, but my ideals and tolerance were challenged through time and experience. Rescuing a teenage girl in labor with a footling breech brought my cultural incompetence to a head. I searched for validation of my service and meaningful purpose in my efforts.