TY - JOUR T1 - Stuck in the Mud JF - The Annals of Family Medicine JO - Ann Fam Med SP - 80 LP - 82 DO - 10.1370/afm.756 VL - 6 IS - 1 AU - Richard E. Allen Y1 - 2008/01/01 UR - http://www.annfammed.org/content/6/1/80.abstract N2 - 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. ER -