Cartography of endurance.

Abstract

This commentary canvasses a few prominent themes of ethical relevance drawn from the stories in this issue. I develop the metaphor of cartography to illuminate critical experiences in the moral lives of parents of children with brain tumors. Relationship transformation within families along the timeline of a child's illness and recovery is one such set of experiences. Points for consideration in health professions education are also featured: clinical humility regarding "second opinions," cultivating therapeutic efficacy from the clinician-parent relationship, error, and medical care itself as a source of trauma.