The Country Doctor Revisited: A Twenty-First Century Reader

An anthology that addresses the rapidly changing nature of rural medicine in the United States

"A beautiful literary collection that tells of today's country doctor, somewhat removed from our romantic black-bag image of days gone by but still fulfilling an essential need in caring for spread-out populations. At times, with today's advances in technology, medicine in rural America looks very much like it does in America's cities, but the variety of practices is enormous. The Country Doctor Revisited captures not only the trials and tribulations of medicine but also the satisfaction and the extraordinary rewards that come to those who embrace such a practice."---Abraham Verghese, M.D., author of Cutting for Stone and My Own Country

"This book will irrevocably change the traditional view of the country doctor. The writings in this collection are as wildly diverse and surprising as the rapidly changing field of rural medicine. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the full spectrum of America's health care system in the twenty-first century."---Danielle Ofri, M.D., Ph.D., author of Singular Intimacies: Becoming a Doctor at Bellevue and Editor-in-Chief of the Bellevue Literary Review

"The Country Doctor Revisited is a fine achievement. Purporting to be an overview of the practice of medicine in rural areas, it is a splendid portrait of the practice of medicine everywhere. The special conditions that prevail in the countryside as opposed to the cities are examined, and each of these is illustrated by a case history that is as compelling as it is informative. It is presented in a highly readable form that would be accessible to the general public as well as to the deliverers of health care. I recommend it most highly."---Richard Selzer, M.D., surgeon and author

"In this collection of stories and poems are some real gems that offer glimpses of the magic of rural practice and give some idea of why a health professional might forfeit the high salaries and prestigious positions of an urban or suburban specialist for the privilege of becoming a meaningful part of the tapestry of rural life. We experience tragedy and joy. Above all we see the extraordinary richness of practicing medicine in the often forgotten corners of America."---David Hilfiker, M.D., family physician and author

Therese Zink is a family physician who practices in rural Minnesota and is a faculty member of the Rural Physician Associate Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She has written and published articles in medical journals, contributed to books, served as editor of a special issue on violence in older women, and serves on the editorial board of two medical/social science journals.