On the fifth day, the family withdrew care. And those family members who had “hated” me the most gave me a hug and thanked me. Why? Because someone has to be the “bad guy.” Someone has to be the bearer of bad news. As emergency medicine physicians, even in our off-service time outside the emergency department, this is the hard job we are capable of doing. And I think many of us take pride in doing it well.
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ACEP News: Vol 31 – No 02 – February 2012Different specialties in medicine are difficult for their own reasons, but it’s always easier to give good news. I think a big part of emergency medicine is saving those you can and humbly acknowledging those you can’t.
So, I’ll say it again: If there is anything else in this world you would rather do besides medicine, do that.
As for me, I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, being the “bad guy.”
Dr. Maso is an intern at Detroit Receiving Hospital. She also holds a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in community health.
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