This article details the author's experiences working with patients and staff in the field of haemodialysis. It explores how envy may manifest within this area of general medicine, the more so as there is little or no hope of this being thought about and owned by the participants. Although the particular area of health care delivery reported on here happens to be nephrology, it is suggested that the issues raised are relevant to all services in which ill patients are looked after by staff who are dedicated to their care.
Berke, Joseph H. (1985) `Envy Loveth Not: A Study of the Origin, Influence and Confluence of Envy and Narcissism', British Journal of Psychotherapy1(3): 171—86.
3.
Bott Spillius, E. (1993) `Varieties of Envious Experience', International Journal of Psychoanalysis74: 1199.
4.
Klein, M. (1975) The Writings of Melanie Klein, Vol.II, Envy and Gratitude and Other Works 1946—1963. London: Hogarth Press.
5.
Menzies, Isabel E. P. (1959) `A Case Study in the Functioning of Social Systems as a Defence against Anxiety. A Report on the Study of the Nursing Service of a General Hospital', Human Relations13: 95—121.
6.
Main, T. (1957) `The Ailment', British Journal of Psychology37(3): 129—45.
7.
Main, T. (1967) `Knowledge, Learning and Freedom from Thought', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry2(1): 64—71.
8.
Schoeck, H. (1966) Envy: A Theory of Social Behaviour. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
9.
Vidal, Gore (1973) Sunday Times Magazine, (UK), 16 September 1973. URL (consulted Oct. 2006): http://thinkexist.com/quotes/gore_vidal .
