Medevacking Mum

Abstract

In this account of a helicopter medical evacuation in which he accompanied his critically ill Mother, this intensive physician reflects on the intersections of critical illness with identity, and the threat to identity that critical illness can pose.  The author explores themes meaning-making and identity in the setting of the multiply displaced in a globalized world, and the relevance of seeking to understand this experience for health professionals caring for diverse populations.  Themes commonly attributed to post-colonial literature, such as negotiating sub-altern status, the fluidity of geography and history, and the contextual nature of belonging and identity are explored as means to appreciate the relational nature of health professionals' caring for patients.