An interesting piece appeared in the NY Times Journal of Medicine yesterday. It described a difficult patient from Homeric times: Philoctetes
I remember Rich Ratzan telling me about Philoctetes maybe 15 years ago. I will ask him to comment on this essay and what he thinks Philoctetes has to teach 21st C patients and care givers.
To read the NY Times piece go to Permalink:
Here is how it begins:
The Difficult Patient, a Problem Old as History (or Old)
By ABIGAIL ZUGER
Published: March 6, 2007
The sick man was a misery to himself and to everyone around him. For one thing, his personal hygiene was horrific. He stank. And he was constantly in pain, moaning and groaning until you began to wonder if he was doing it just for effect. Worst of all, he was a mean old cuss, angry and embittered after years of illness. All he did was complain.