The Gravedigger

Abstract

On Being a Doctor20 September 2011The GravediggerJames S. Goodwin, MDJames S. Goodwin, MDFrom The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0177.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-6-201109200-00012 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail I go to my patients' funerals whenever possible. It is a way of showing respect for the patient and the patient's family. Depending on the denomination, a funeral also provides me with 1-, 2-, or 3-hour periods to sit and think. My funeral thoughts relate to the big issues of life and death, and I come away with a feeling of peace and of being part of a community.Nothing in these funeral-going experiences prepared me for gravedigging, however. Digging a grave is like a funeral, raised to the tenth power.The call came at about 2:00 a.m. on a ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0177.Corresponding Author: James S. Goodwin, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Sealy Center on Aging, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0177; e-mail, [email protected]edu. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 20 September 2011Volume 155, Issue 6Page: 398-399KeywordsAgingAnxietyBrainEmotionsFoodMemorySuicideSweat ePublished: 20 September 2011 Issue Published: 20 September 2011 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2011 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...