In "Last Words: The Final Journals," William S. Burroughs echoes the sentiments of Scott Peck about the medical training experience. Burroughs suggests that it would benefit future doctors to actually experience the symptoms of various illnesses, from common infections to severe diseases like terminal cancer and rare conditions such as Kuru, or "the laughing sickness." By immersing themselves in these experiences for a month at a time, medical students would gain a deeper understanding of their patients' suffering.

This proposed approach emphasizes the importance of empathy in medicine. Experiencing the pain and challenges associated with illnesses firsthand could provide medical professionals with valuable insights, ultimately improving patient care. Burroughs argues that this intense exposure would enable doctors to relate better to their patients' experiences, potentially transforming their approach to healing and compassion in the medical field.