I am a medical doctor—a hospitalist working in an environment with many talented professionals.  We share our knowledge and our approach to medicine with one another in ways that profoundly affect our patients and other personnel in the hospital.

At our best, we are a community whose foundation is a willingness and openness to discuss hard facts and make difficult decisions.

So why is it that when I was first diagnosed with …

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Physicians love to feel in control. We thrive in environments where we feel we can predict the outcome.

Do well in medical school and on boards—you will get into a residency.

Take the statin—it will improve your cholesterol.

Do the screening colonoscopy—it will improve your chances of catching cancer early.

I think most of us can agree we would give these recommendations. But certainty, the foundation of predictability, is not a given.  We know …

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