RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Phoenix: A 20-Year Patient-Doctor Journey
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 80
OP 82
DO 10.1370/afm.2486
VO 18
IS 1
A1 Kannai, Ruth
A1 Salem, Dana
A1 Rice (Alon), Aya
YR 2020
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/18/1/80.abstract
AB In a previous story (“On Blindness and Blind Spots”)1 I sought to understand the psychological causes of a long-time patient’s myriad of seemingly inexplicable symptoms. Since then, I learned more of her story, which helped me understand my patient with a new perspective.Dana shared with me, and now with the readers, short poetic pieces she has written to describe her traumatic experiences as a child—and the efforts she makes as a grown woman to heal, like the phoenix rises from its ashes. The value of belief in one’s patient, alongside patience and the opportunity to build a trusting relationship over many years—as the truth has a pace of its own—are underscored.