Two Faces of Medical Care

Abstract

There are two very distinct aspects to caring for medical patients. The first is very demanding — enough knowledge and expertise to cope with the demands of modern medicine and all its technology. Working efficiently with machinery and equipment, so graphically displayed in much recruiting literature, takes many years of training and hard study. The second aspect is just as demanding in a different way, for somehow, amid all the pressure of an acute ward, the nurse has to find time to sit with her patient, to hold his hand and to show that she cares.

The tender word forgotten

The letter you did not write

The flower you might have sent, dear

Are your haunting ghosts tonight.

Margaret Sangster (1838–1912)

At Sunset