The Practice of Medicine

To the Editor. — The defense by Dr Dandoy 1 of her public health practice was stirring and, I suspect, accurate. I fear, however, she might have misunderstood the question: "Have you ever practiced medicine?" I suspect that when that question is asked the real questions are: "Have you ever experienced the frustrations of standing beside the bed of a dying patient knowing there is nothing more you can do?" "Have you had to tell the family of a patient that their loved one has just died?" "Do you drag yourself to the hospital in the middle of the night to provide emergency care to a patient you have never seen who presents with a critical illness?" "Have you been told by Blue Cross/Blue Shield that all of the above activities are unnecessary and unreasonable and that they have no intention of reimbursing you for them?" and "Have you become