ABSTRACT

In the mid to late twentieth century, literature about patients' subjective experiences, usually written by patients themselves or by family members, mushroomed. Students recognize that patients need caring and emotionally connected physicians. At times these poems do not extend beyond a chaotic cry for help. Most of these poems engage in authentic witnessing of the patient's hopes and emotional desires. These student-authors are unafraid at least to hear the vulnerable longing of the patient. Patients are usually portrayed in student poetry as worried and fearful, which certainly reflects the emotions of many patients, but is a perception that also resonates with the students' own feelings. In addition to the burden of illness, some patients, such as those who abuse drugs and/or alcohol, homeless people, the mentally ill, obese patients, noncompliant patients, patients who speak different languages and those from different cultures, are further stigmatized by attributes or characteristics that, in minds of some healthcare providers, justify attitudes of disrespect.