- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
As I listened to U2's Beautiful Day on my iPod while jogging on a beautiful day, I mourned the loss of my comrade in the trenches of family medicine, Ursus.1 Who else relishes the freedom of singing along to an uplifting song on the commute to work? Who else berates himself for missing Guillain– Barré syndrome in a patient with vague symptoms? Who else speaks frankly of his personal challenges with mental illness?
Query has been the highlight of each CMAJ issue for me since Ursus' introduction. Ursus always seemed to eloquently verbalize the internal struggles I also grapple with as a rural family physician. Difficulties with colleagues and patients and the challenges of trying to maintain a work–life balance are common to all physicians, but simply knowing that we are not alone in our struggles makes it easier to continue plodding forward.
Ursus, whoever you are, I salute you. I will think of you (and sing in your honour) the next time I hear Beautiful Day on my car radio.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None declared.
REFERENCE
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