Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

Mothers and Daughters

Mothers Are Human Too
by Marla Lukofsky

Years ago, during a rough patch of communications between my mother and me, I had a conversation with Aunty Phyllis, my mom’s beloved sister and partner-in-crime. I confessed to her that I thought my mother didn’t love me. She paused for a moment, then broke her silence and said, “That’s interesting Marla, because recently your mother told me that she doesn’t think you love her.”  My aunty’s news shocked and pained me. Up until then, I’d never thought that my mother might have the same vulnerabilities that I did. Parents are superhuman after all.

To read the rest: Download Mothers Are Human Too

Marla is on left

 

The Art of Negotiation

The Art of Negotiation

Teaching Doctors the Art of Negotiation
by Dhruv Khullar
New York Times, January 24, 2014

“Doctors negotiate every day, with patients, their families, other physicians and insurance companies — sometimes dramatically, often imperceptibly.  Recognizing the importance of communication skills, medical schools are starting to offer communication training for students — and it seems to be paying off.  Law, business and public policy schools all offer classes in negotiation, recognizing the interdisciplinary and interdependent nature of their professions. Isn’t it time medical schools did, too?”

This is a prescient introduction to the need for negotiation skills by physicians.

Dhruv Khullar is a dual degree candidate at the Yale School of Medicine and Harvard Kennedy School, where he is a fellow at the Center for Public