The Grim Reaper Wears a White Coat

This story, which should be read by anyone with a general interest in medicine, or pursuing a career in medicine. It is based opon journal entries and interviews with a whistleblowing physician. It describes the mundane, and raw events in the day to day activities at healthcare settings. It also reveals the angst, frustrations, observations, and experiences, and experiences of a discerning, compassionate physician. Although the facts ride a fictional background to deliver the message; it is a firsthand depiction of the business model that is contemporary medicine; including de facto euthenasia. It is unlikely you can read this story and think about healthcare the same way again. The story demonstrates the lack of compassion in creating laws, and policy and delivery as well as the process of creating and training of the physicians. Walk through the wards, and round with Reggie. He is a resident physician, entering medical training with high hopes and aspirations to make a difference. His idealism and naivete' fade as he becomes disgusted by the harsh nature of the contemporary healing profession. A profession that despite it's haughty contemporary facade, and tradition is basically a highfalutin vocational school. Its goal is to train the future extended employees of the pharmaceutical industry. This is a tale of the ego, greed and arrogance that permeates the profession and it's players. It is a first hand look at the profession from many angles. It 's no accident that your healthcare provider likely has an immature mind inhabiting an adult body complete with a cold heart, disconnected from humanity. The story covers the dehumanizing impact in the selection, creation, and training of physicians and medicine in general. It looks at the dark side of medical care delivery, which has little to do with health or prevention. It describes how individuals can harden their hearts, separate themselves from their souls and treat others in ways they would not wish to be treated. Elderly patients are dying. At first, Reggie thinks the events are just the random, sick people dying under hospital care, but soon realizes someone is playing the role of god and executioner. Torn between his personal values and beliefs, and the reality of the medical industrial complex, and its priority in creating indentured servants instead of compassionate physicians. His mind stretches as cognitive dissonance manifests as he experiences a disconnect between what he thought becoming a physician would be; and how dirty it can be . In the medical profession; it's often the scum that rises to the top. He languishes in a situation that becomes increasingly unbearable. How much can he take until he reaches his breaking point?