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BOOK REVIEW
‘When You Hold a
Patient’s Hand ...
Don’t Wear a Glove’
Written by Stuart Gilbert, MD
Reviewed by Franklin C. Redmond, MD
I recently read the new book, “When You Hold a Patient’s Hand teractions with real cancer patients. The accountings are well written
… Don’t Wear a Glove: The Experiences of a Maine Radiation On- with clarity and humility, and demonstrate the compassion he
cologist.” I felt it was a book worth sharing with the entire physi- showed his patients and their families. The author includes facts
cian/patient community. I sent the title to Fred Olin, MD, who and recent research about radiation, chemo, breast cancer, lung can-
often reviews books for San Antonio Medicine. He suggested I do cer, leukemia, colon cancer, prostrate cancer and the side effects of
the review myself. medications. He describes the detailed information that he dis-
cussed with his patients, demonstrating an intimate collaborative
The author, Stuart Gilbert, MD, is an old friend from 42 years style.
ago when our families were thrown together at USAF Regional Hos-
pital, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas. Dr. Gilbert was a general In recounting the anecdotes of his cancer patients, some with
radiologist at the time, and I was a psychiatrist. After “the war,” I good survival outcomes and some not, he gives a convincing argu-
returned to San Antonio and he to the Boston area. We have en- ment that without a positive personal physician/patient relationship,
joyed keeping up over the ensuing years including reciprocal visits. the likelihood of a positive experience is diminished. Being a con-
On our most recent visit, Dr. Gilbert was excited about his new temporary physician with Dr. Gilbert, I was struck by how many
book that was soon to arrive from his publisher. Of course, I had to similar experiences of my own his personal and poignant examples
order a copy, if only to be supportive of his effort. brought back to memory.
As he stated in his introduction, his goal was to leave an account- Many who aspire to become a medical professional (or any other
ing of his professional life and career for his grandchildren. Dr. professional) often are not as fortunate to have the ready and ap-
Gilbert accomplished far more. He left a blueprint of the striving propriate role models that Dr. Gilbert had. As it turns out, he him-
for, and attainment of, true medical professionalism. self became an exceptional role model for those who have been
associated with him through the years. Through his book one can
Dr. Gilbert begins with a brief family history and a recounting appreciate some of the types of experiences that help develop pro-
of his early life experiences, included having a physician father, a fessional behavior.
supportive family, educational opportunities, and a culture that sup-
ported and valued the characteristics that go into a successful pro- I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone embark-
fessional life. ing on a professional career, particularly those working in the health-
care field. In addition, it would be very helpful to cancer patients
The author describes the process of going back into training in and their families as they struggle with a very difficult time of life.
radiation oncology. Dr. Gilbert discusses the various pathways he Finally, it is a pleasant and easy read about life in general.
took, ending up in Portland, Maine, where he reared his children
and became an accomplished radiation oncologist and a highly re- Franklin C. Redmond, MD, is a semi-retired psy-
spected member of the community. chiatrist and a clinical professor at the University of
Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. He is a
His career accomplishments and examples of the learning that he BCMS member.
obtained from his experiences with patients and colleagues demon-
strate many qualities of professionalism. Honesty and basic human
consideration were evident in all of the situations he described. Dr.
Gilbert’s career, as described, is a clear example of the successful
management of the contractual and reciprocal relationships that
occur between a true professional and the members of his/her de-
fined community.
The “meat” of the book includes many anecdotes of personal in-
40 San Antonio Medicine • April 2015
