The dilemma of treating patients, based on their contributions to society

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During my third-year internal medicine rotation, I was introduced to and helped care for a patient named Casey (name changed to protect privacy). I identified with Casey because we were the same age, and I felt empathetic toward her situation.

Casey was very sick, a direct result of her risky behavior. She was admitted for infective endocarditis secondary to intravenous opioid abuse. She …

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