The "Nephrologist"as a patient advocate

Its often that we encounter many family situations and complex medical patients.  As Nephrologists, we are at a very unique opportunity to be the patient's best advocate.  In a busy day to day practice,sometimes we feel rushed and forget the humanism in medicine.  Its a tough situation. But, few words of compassion can go a long way in a difficult patient and family members.  Let's not forget that.

I urge you all to read this essay by a medical student( at that time). It is shocking and very revealing.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12431924

Related slightly to these topics are two very recent NY Times Blog posts
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/do-patients-have-the-toughest-job-in-medicine/?ref=health
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/letting-doctors-make-the-tough-decisions/

Worth a read