For Better or for Worse

Staff indifference apparently caused the death of an incarcerated person at a California jail.

It was just another shift at the jail clinic, until I met a man with a life-threatening complication due to woefully inadequate care.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Avoidable COVID-19 Disaster

Ian Jenkins M.D. on August 15, 2021

A hospital doctor despairs to see misinformed patients avoidably spreading and dying from COVID-19 during the current delta surge.

A hospital doctor despairs to see misinformed patients avoidably spreading and dying from COVID-19 during the current delta surge.

Transgender

Finding the Motivations Behind Anti Transgender Laws

Ian Jenkins M.D. on April 15, 2021

What's behind legislation to ban trans medical care? It *isn't* child welfare.

What's behind legislation to ban trans medical care? It *isn't* child welfare.

Polyamory

Polyamory, the Gay “Conservative,” and “Think of the Children"

Ian Jenkins M.D. on March 8, 2021

How do gays view a three dad family? Even though they've been through conservative judgement themselves, many gays struggle with the idea.

How do gays view a three dad family? Even though they've been through conservative judgement themselves, many gays struggle with the idea.

Polyamory

Polyamory, the Gay “Conservative,” and "Where Does It Stop?"

Ian Jenkins M.D. on March 4, 2021

Why gay rights advocates sometimes have the most misgivings about my three-dad family

Why gay rights advocates sometimes have the most misgivings about my three-dad family

Parenting

The Hurdles My Poly Family Cleared

Ian Jenkins M.D. on March 3, 2021

What it was like fighting to become a poly family, and how our family been received.

What it was like fighting to become a poly family, and how our family been received.

Parenting

Our Poly Family Legal Battle: Answering FAQs

Ian Jenkins M.D. on March 1, 2021

The legal struggles behind the first polyamorous family to be recognized as the legal parents of a child.

The legal struggles behind the first polyamorous family to be recognized as the legal parents of a child.

What still needs to be changed for LGBT Americans?

Polyamory

Children With Three Parents? A History of Multi-Parentage

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 22, 2021

Parents in nontraditional arrangements have earned legal parentage. Now, polyamorous families are joining them.

Parents in nontraditional arrangements have earned legal parentage. Now, polyamorous families are joining them.

Embarrassment

The Magic Words: On Beating Cancer and More

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 17, 2021

After seeing one too many deaths, here are some reflections on dying and key words for the suffering and their survivors.

After seeing one too many deaths, here are some reflections on dying and key words for the suffering and their survivors.

Sleep

The Magic Words: Demystifying Death and Sharing the Tears

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 16, 2021

Speaking frankly about the dying process, to ease dying.

Speaking frankly about the dying process, to ease dying.

Motivation

The Magic Words: Letting Go of “Everything”

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 16, 2021

When you're dying, you want everything done. Or do you?

When you're dying, you want everything done. Or do you?

Intelligence

The Magic Words: How Long Have I Got to Live? And Other Questions

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 15, 2021

A patient asks, "How long will I live?" How do you answer?

A patient asks, "How long will I live?" How do you answer?

Friends

The Magic Words: Tips for Gentle Honesty

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 15, 2021

Doctors have to give patients bad news and tell them they've got a terminal illness. Do they know how?

Doctors have to give patients bad news and tell them they've got a terminal illness. Do they know how?

Motivation

The Magic Words: On Goals and "Giving Up"

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 14, 2021

When death is unavoidable, what can doctors say to patients to make the transition more peaceful?

When death is unavoidable, what can doctors say to patients to make the transition more peaceful?

Stress

The Magic Words: Turning Despair Into Hope

Ian Jenkins M.D. on February 14, 2021

Doctors have to guide patients through the stressful decisions that accompany terminal illnesses. But how?

Doctors have to guide patients through the stressful decisions that accompany terminal illnesses. But how?