Lessons From “The Doctor” (a 1990 movie starring William Hurt)
In this movie, a hotshot surgeon, is diagnosed with cancer. He becomes a recipient of the kind of “care” he delivered himself. It is truly (in my opinion) one of the great medical movies of all time. Some of the issues explored:
- “Tell your husband you’re a playboy centerfold. You’ve got the staples to prove it.” When is humor appropriate in medical practice? When is it not?
- “As a surgeon you better cut straighter and care less.” As harsh as this sounds, is there some truth to it?
- “You’ll still forget next year,” says doctor’s wife, “won’t you?” What are the consequences of our personal success in regard to our spouses and children?
- The Doctor (William Hurt) is diagnosed with cancer. He becomes a patient. What’s it like for us physicians being patients? What’s it like for us when a colleague is afflicted with a serious illness? Why do we sometimes feel uncomfortable engaging that colleague?
- “The tumor is malignant.” How do we give bad news?
Healthcare Keynote Speaker
Book Dr. Scott Abramson
Dr. Abramson has been passionately involved in the physician communication and the physician wellness projects. He has delivered dozens of workshops in this arena and personally coached scores of physicians and staff. He has developed programs on time management, physician communication,
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