Many years ago, an elderly, black lady fired her physician while she was sick in the hospital.  I happened to walk past her door and her son approached me to relay the message that his mother was interested in me taking care of her and becoming her physician for the duration of her hospital stay and after discharge.  I took care of her until she passed away, years later.  Our relationship was very good.

I am telling this story because I think patients forget that they hire the physician and it is not the other way around.  It is important, as African Americans and the underserved, that you have a good relationship with your physician.  The medical literature suggests that you are more likely to take the advice of your doctor when the relationship is good.

As I enter the twilight of my medical career, I enjoy seeing patients who have entrusted their care to me.  It is, indeed, a good feeling.