patient in the emergency room (ER). During our evaluation it became clear that the patient really was in the ER because he was slightly confused and emotionally upset, not because of heart disease or pneumonia or the like.
• After we left the patient's side, the student made a comment that was really quite negative, and I realized at that moment a certain sad truth about how we all seem to appreciate people in this society. The student had devalued the individual not only because of the emotional nature of the problem, but partly because of the patient's dementia and even, I dare say, because of his age.
• What is the value of any individual? It is not hard to appreciate the young talent whose life is before her and it looks rosy indeed. And it is not hard to appreciate the middle-life firefighter who has rescued many people caught in a treacherous spot. And it is not hard to appreciate the mature college professor whose brilliant lectures bring his students to enlightenment.
• But what is the value of the individual who is losing memory at the end of a full life? What is it that gives value to a person in this society? What will happen when resources of time and money to help care for these people become even more limited?
• This is not to say that we should pour a large amount of our society's resources into overextending a dying and suffering elderly patient. However there is no more important principal in the field of medicine than to realize the value of every individual, no matter what medical or psychological problem, no matter what mental capacity, and no matter what age or stage of life.
• Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public.  "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com. 
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