When A Daughter Dies
I was struck by the amount of care that was seemingly influenced by fear of litigation.  An ambulance driver diverted to a closer e/r despite having a physician onboard.  A nurse wouldn't sanction ice chips without the admitting physician's chop.  Exhausting and time-consuming tests needlessly repeated.<p>I once asked a veterinarian acquaintance of mine why he hadn't become a physician.  "Wouldn't you rather drive something fancier than that pickup truck?" I needled, gesturing out the window at his old F150.  "Yeah" he replied, "but those guys spend most of <i>their</i> time doing paperwork.  <i>I</i> get to practice medicine."