In the world of medicine, where the physical exam is often given short shrift in favor of ordering a menu of tests, we miss some of the most important information that is right before us.
We miss the connection, and the empathy, of which the key components are making meaningful eye contact, noticing the facial expressions, emotions, and postures of others, attuning to the tone of voice, hearing the whole person and noticing our own responses to others.
MacGregor’s stories testify to the life-affirming power of empathy: listening, touching, and seeing another person.
“In Awe of Being Human: A Doctor’s Stories from the Edge of Life and Death,” Dr. Betsy MacGregor
image: http://bit.ly/dP1O76
