The Wrong Diagnosis Poem by Richard Lackman

Oh God you know how hard I try
To understand the how and why
Of each decision that I make
If only for my patients' sake

But deep inside I am aware
No matter how much I might care
Some diagnoses will be wrong
As surely as the day is long

How can I cope with my mistakes
How will my confidence not break
How can I bear their suffering
And all the guilt which it will bring

I am no God but just a man
No worse and yet no better than
Any ordinary Joe
Or anyone whom you might know

I have taken on this task
But after years I have to ask
Can I continue on this path
Risking yet another's wrath

I suppose all I can do
Is move along and see this through
Remembering how hard I tried
Humility out-pacing pride