There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves. Albert Guinon. One of the commonest complaints patients have about doctors is that they are too distant and uncaring. Perversely, many doctors still pride themselves on their detachment and equanimity - and distancing oneself from the patient is one of the first skills we learn as medical students !
However, medical practice is not an either-or situation, and doctors need to practise both science and art, reason and intuition, attachment and detachment, equanimity and empathy. These are not mutually exclusive – and the good doctor needs to find the right balance ! Unfortunately, we do not encourage our medical students to develop their emotional skills, and medical college usually drains whatever natural empathy students have. Students get marked for…
