Treating the Patient, Not the Disease - Humanism and Professionalism in the Era of the Electronic Medical Record

[AussieNeil]

I know this ASH interview with Fred Schiffman, MD will resonate with many, in particular those whose specialists have more time for their computer monitor than them:

'The fact that we have to add humanism to medicine is, I think, a very sad indicator that medicine is often now bereft of humanistic concerns and components. These components are integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, service, and empathy. What the idea of humanism does is it fosters compassionate and empathic relationships with patients and colleagues. It demonstrates attitudes and behaviors that are sensitive to the values, autonomy, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds of patients. Professionalism includes the subordinating of our own interests to those we serve, and just like with humanism, we must adhere to high standards and respond to societal needs. We advance core humanistic values if we are professional and we exercise accountability, demonstrate commitment to excellence and scholarship, and deal with complexity and uncertainty.'

cancernetwork.com/qa/treati...

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Neil

Photo: The world's largest kingfisher bird - Australia's kookaburra, also known as a laughing jackass