John Launer: Finding meaning in general practice

I recently heard a wonderful story from a GP colleague.As usual, I've altered details for anonymity.A new patient registered with him and explained that she didn't want screening tests such as cervical smears or mammograms.Her previous GP had tried to challenge this, she said, but was unsuccessful.She was religious and believed that, if you developed cancer, it was something God intended, and you should resign yourself to this.The doctor, despite