More fallout from The Happy Hospitalist’s reader take last weekend.

Palliative care specialist Christian Sinclair wonders what will become of his profession if Medicare starts to deny services to futile care:

I do not think our field would have such an easy time gaining the public trust if hospice/palliative care services were demanded or by any means ‘forced upon’ anyone. We already have enough of an uphill battle in addressing tough decisions many do not want to face before we go throwing money and limiting choice into the equation.

Every palliative care team I’ve encountered has been compassionate, professional, and patients were treated with the utmost of respect.

If they continue putting patients and families first, as many of them do, gaining the public’s trust shouldn’t be a problem.