The science and art of medicine today

Excerpt

The practice of clinical medicine with its daily judgments is both science and art. The science part is easy to define, and it is dynamic and changing. Physicians learn from books, their peers, and their patients. The cumulative effect is what distinguishes seasoned physicians from beginners, unlike all other professions! The art of medicine is more difficult to define and each one of us may have a set of values. According to Google: (1) “From day one of medical school, we are told, and thereafter endlessly reminded of, the lynchpin of the art of medicine; it is the foundation of both the humanistic facets of practice, as well as the practical approach to diagnosis: Listen to your patient.” (2) “The art of medicine can be defined as being how we apply evidence-based medicine to each patient we see. We are to use evidence-based algorithms solely as guidelines. Each patient must be treated as an individual.” (3) “The art of medicine involves several components: Caring for patients, showing honest concern and compassion, giving patient’s time, not rushing, being patient with them, having a great bedside manner, helping every patient to acquire the best outcome they can for themselves by working with them, educating them, coming up with a mutually agreed upon plan of action.” …