"Reading" Patients When Illiteracy is What Afflicts Them: A reflection by medical oncologist Jose Bufill

While returning to the U.S. on an international flight not long ago, I sat next to a young African woman. As we approached our destination, she sheepishly passed me her passport and a customs form. Since I was in the aisle seat, I assumed she wanted me to pass it along to the flight attendant, until I realized the form was blank.  She was asking me to fill it out.

Read more