physician and patient

I bought a copy for myself, and now I am trying to give a copy to everybody I know who is involved in patient care. Most of us went into the medical field with noble aspirations to take care of others and in doing so, to grow ourselves as human beings. The process of going through a medical education debases in many respects our initial aspirations. I read this book and found myself recentered. Dr. Lown approaches medicine as an opportunity to glean from the people for whom he cares. The book is filled with anecdotes gathered from decades of doctoring. The stories lead the reader along the same journey that the author has taken in coming to a sense of himself as a healer. The characters whom have filled his life are interesting and the story of Dr. Lown's personal journey from medical student, to researcher to teacher and master clinician, is fascinating. I highly recommend this book. It has changed the way that I approach my work and given me a zest for opportunities to grow in this profession.

In a profession dominated increasingly by science and technology, it is heartening to hear a courageous voice who spoke forcefully and emphatically against the dehumanization of medicine and for the urgent need to return to the traditional ethos of medicine. This coming no less from a physician of Dr Lown's stature and credentials, a technological wizard who had given the world the first cardioverter and DC defribillator. and yet managed to stay aloof and above the lure of medical scientific and technical sophistry which had captured the awe and fantasy of many of today's medical students and doctors alike. Debunking the myth of the omnipotence of clinical medicine, Dr Lown sought to reconcile the divide between the art and science of medicine, advocating a more humane approach towards the management of patients. He is both a philosopher and a healer, equipped with an open mind and divergent mindset extending beyond the normal confines of medical practice. As a young medical student struggling with the heavy workload imposed by an explosion of medical scientific knowledge, Dr Lown's book is thought-provoking and inspiring, a timely reminder that knowledge and academic grades are merely a means to an end and that human qualities such as empathy, compassion and a sound understanding of the human condition is not only crucial in medical practice, but must be reinforced and developed in the impressionable medical student navigating through rigors and constraints of his studies and training.

This is an incredible book. Written by the cardiologist who helped bring us DC cardioversion, and lidocaine for arrhythmias, it surprisingly focuses on the human aspects of medicine.

He makes several critical points: the most important task for us as physicians is to first listen to our patients. He encourages us to make our diagnoses and prognoses on the basis of careful history taking and examination, rather than by laboratory testing. He also exhorts us to take the responsibility of appropriately reassuring and encouraging our patients, rather than just always hedging our bets to cover our malpractice worries.

The book is very well written and edited, and contains dozens of fascinating doctor/patient vignettes. He explores the boundaries of the patient/doctor relationship, and is well aware of the times it leads him astray.

He is not afraid to interject his personal religious philosophy (as an agnostic from a Jewish background) but respects those with other opinions.

This text contains far more valuable information for physicians than any biochemistry or histology text. Hopefully wise Deans will make it required reading for their medical school

Thomas H. Bracken MD Onamia MN