Inappropriate Use of Medical Conditions as Metaphors

I accepted Dr Loper’s essay¹ with the intention of spurring a discussion on how electronic health records may be adversely affecting the quality of patient-physician interactions. It spurred a discussion of something more important: the inappropriate use of medical conditions as metaphors. I was remiss in not appreciating how the use of autism as a metaphor in that context would be offensive to some readers. I have seen comments criticizing this remission and others acknowledging the intention of the article.² My oversight has been a learning experience for me, Dr Loper, and I expect for many others.