Bravo, Dr Chow! I’m retired from practice now after 50 years as a GP/FP and found your article in the April issue to be a breath of fresh air [BCMJ 2021;63:105 [11]]. The profession is facing decreasing numbers of physicians. Physician burnout has become a byword. Physicians are losing the esteem from their patients, while other health care professionals are enjoying increasing popularity from their patients and clients. To be a physician was once to also be a trusted member of a patient’s and their family members’ special circle, trusted as a caring friend, but alas, the pressures of practice, bureaucracy, paperwork, and rules of conduct have disenfranchised us from the art of medicine, often creating a seemingly adversarial relationship with those we care for. Your philosophy of medical practice illustrates a means to bring back the very real joy of being that caring professional friend to those we care for.

Thank you for the wise encouragement.
—Brian S. Pound, MBBS, LRCP, MRCS, LMCC
Victoria

This letter was submitted in response to “On the nature of being a professional.” [11]