Thursday, October 24, 2013

Academic Medicine

They wear 19th century costumes, saturate and separate themselves with tradition and noble intent. Drawn to a profession of costume, false prestige and reward for having a good memory many lack an intuitive sense of people - a wisdom if you will. I find far too many two dimensional and entirely too level headed, lacking in depth, and just as judgmental - rigid, dogmatic, and literal – all to compensate for a lack of any real talent.

They confuse good memory for intelligence and as in many professions reward pedigree, the ability to dazzle, dance, and to do the political two-step, rather than rewarding skill and inherent ability. The only problem with doing this in medicine? People die.

And then there are the few. Those precious few, stunning in their ways, their talents and keenness of mind. Those that possess what can never be taught - those that can make all the difference. Rarely recognized, almost never rewarded or ‘honored’ - too busy being good doctors, prolonging quality life and limiting suffering,  to pursue pedigree, power, or recognition.

Those that I strive to be like.

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