Mourning My Patient, Mr Schwartz

The story depicts my close relationship with Mr Schwartz, an elderly Holocaust survivor, spanning over 20 years. During those years, he became a significant patient to me; during my many home visits, we often shared significant conversations about life. When Mr Schwartz was diagnosed at age 90 with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of family medicine 2021-09, Vol.19 (5), p.460-462
Main Authors: Kannai, Ruth, Alon, Aya Rice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged patients
Death of
Physician and patient
Reflections
Social aspects
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The story depicts my close relationship with Mr Schwartz, an elderly Holocaust survivor, spanning over 20 years. During those years, he became a significant patient to me; during my many home visits, we often shared significant conversations about life. When Mr Schwartz was diagnosed at age 90 with advanced cancer, we made an alliance whereby I would represent him in his decision not to receive medical interventions. For the next 4 years until his death, Mr Schwartz pleaded with me to kill him, which I could not do either legally or morally. Over the years; I was moved by his honesty, frustrated at my inability to offer him relief or a sense of meaning, and pensive, as I would inevitably reflect on existential issues pertaining to myself and my dear ones. Mourning his loss was complex, for I was very close to him, yet not a part of his family. With whom can we physicians share our sadness at the loss of a person with whom we never actually spent a holiday or family dinner? Key words: physician narrative; doctor-patient relationship; advance care planning; palliative care
ISSN:1544-1709
1544-1717
DOI:10.1370/afm.2710