Contributor: Myron Liptzin

In regard to "Stead stories" - I am sure I won't be the first (or last) to recall his observation and pronouncement at the bedside -- "what this patient needs is a good doctor!"

With the tremendous advances in technology and health care delivery risking distancing the doctor from the patient, those words are more important that ever, his admonition to listen, to observe, to step back and think, to formulate some understanding of a differential diagnosis and resultant treatment plan, to relate in a caring professional manner, and most important, to do no harm.