Acknowledgments

This book represents the accumulation of patient stories over a span of many years. Without question they are stories that challenge us and make us reflect on clinical practice. We are grateful to our colleagues, the authors of the narratives, who have been willing to share with us their experiences with patients, both positive and negative. We have also been inspired by the patients whose stories are reflected herein.

Sincere thanks is extended to Dr. Tom Freeman, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario (from 1999–2011), for creating an environment that encouraged the time to teach, write and reflect.

We thank Andrea Burt for her outstanding coordination of this project. Her devotion and thoroughness has been exemplary. We also extend our thanks to Anne Fendrich, Sherry Benko and Magda Catani for their tolerance of our numerous edits and attention to detail.

Judith Belle Brown

Tanya Thornton

Moira Stewart

August 2011