In this Module, you have read materials and watched videos that suggest that doc
ID: 393494 • Letter: I
Question
In this Module, you have read materials and watched videos that suggest that doctors need to be scientists and artists. Please, do not look at the word "artist" narrowly and only see an artist as a painter, musician, writer, and other types of visual and performance artists. Instead, use this definition of artist when answering: "One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation." What do you think of Bernadette Healy's belief in "Medicine, the Art," and the belief of others in this Module that a doctor should be an artist and a scientist? Discuss each person's belief in doctors being artists and scientists. In today's medical system, do you think that many doctors subscribe to the belief that medicine is an art form as well as a science? Be thorough and specific when you answer, referring to the text and to your life experiences.
Explanation / Answer
Medicine is backed by science to give all logical information. Science according to its definition discusses the following:
Medicine is definitely backed by science and has been thoroughly researched experimented before it is used on human beings.
Art or artist is defined as “One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation."
A good Doctor has to be a combination of both science and art. Science is critical to provide knowledge and information. Art is critical to delivering the knowledge in a meaningful and caring manner.
Why art because it is his art at being a good communicator, educating the patient on various matters related to the need for certain tests, medicines etc and providing reassurance during a health crisis. In addition, healing is faster and patients feel happy if they realize the doctor has heard them out and have understood their problems.
The artist here is the doctor who makes his profession “The art of medicine” by building a caring and healing relationship with the patients.
A good doctor is with his patients in all high to low points from birth, his children’s birth, illness to his death. He is also holding your hand and assuring you with regard to your health and providing you with the emotional support to enhance and support the healing process. A good doctor will be excellent in conversing and building bonds with the patients.
The art of doctor includes reassuring his patients not by just prescribing tests and extra medicines but by understanding and finding ways to heal the patient without unnecessary examinations and painful test. For example, the pap smear test can be done at a three-year interval instead of every year. The doctor should encourage patients to come for annual visits to address their small concerns and take preventive measures to avoid a future big illness.
A good doctor will be unable to provide treatment by applying science or by just administering medicines. The art is to back his knowledge with an ability to listen, empathize, inform and maintain rapport with the patient. Lack of interpersonal skills will impair his ability to communicate his diagnosis and provide the support necessary to support the patients healing process.
To sum it up art and medicine are an inseparable part of a doctor’s profession. The knowledge is an art and science requires participation in the knowledge to make it useful.