all the replies and more on the latest doctor-patient paper war in the st forum here. one letter in particular caught my attention. the reader wrote,

"I believe every doctor should be made to go through a course in human relations before he is allowed to practise his trade. The competency of the doctor is not in question; it is the lack of compassion (in some cases) and understanding of the patient's stress that is of concern."

well, aren't we all put through a series of lectures on the various psychology and sociology theories which were meant to help us "understand" ourselves better? and aren't we all city folk, born of the same fast-paced, ungracious and selfish mould? there was this case about a boy who was being beaten up on an mrt train and not a single soul bothered to intercede. no one walked away to the other end of the train to call the police or inform the station managers. i was reminded of this case last year when those parisian boys dumped cream on my friend and i in one of the metro stations. none of the people walking by stopped to help. and i thought to myself, why should i be surprised?

then again, we all know of nice docs who do make you forget that you're even sick. now that we're entering the clinics, i really hope to one of those doctors who make their patients comfortable and at ease.

but first, the CAs. good luck everybody. heh.