The Practice of Medicine

The practice of medicine is an art as well as a science. For a long time now we have largely focussed on the science, and ignored the art, at the great expense of people, including ourselves.

Medicine used to care for the whole person, but our focus has been progressively reduced, and we have become more and more focussed on the parts, sometimes at the expense of the whole.

Evidence-based medicine has come to be regarded and taught as the ‘gold standard’ of practice and we have been asked to apply it to all people and all cases.

Evidence-based medicine has an important role to play in our practice, but it is based on population studies, and while it may give us a big picture on which to base our decisions, it does not apply in every single case. Indeed, applying it indiscriminately can cause great harm, for people are unique individuals, who do not always fit into evidence-based sized boxes.

This is the art of medicine – knowing when to apply the evidence; knowing when, having applied it, it is clearly not working for this particular person and a different approach is called for; and knowing that the evidence is often limited to the physical, when we are more than merely physical.

Indeed, there are cracks appearing in evidence-based medicine. It is increasingly being shown that some, if not much of the evidence is flawed, that studies are often not repeatable; even that studies have been corrupted because of the vested interests of those paying for the research.

Evidence-based medicine is important, but it is not everything in its current form, because it largely ignores the evidence of the body and the being inside the body. The art of medicine is time honoured … listening to our patients, observing them, examining them as a whole in the context of work, family, community, society, all of which can influence health and wellbeing.

Bringing this art together with true science – which includes the art of observing things as they truly are, not as we would like them to be – offers us a way forward, to become true practitioners of medicine again.

Picture of human heart by Leonardo da Vinci for article by Dr Fiona Williams on Heart-centred Medicine

Heart-Centred Medicine: A Return to Ancient Wisdom

Dr Fiona Williams - January 1, 2021 0

Would a return to an ‘innermost’ way of life, a heart-centred intelligence and awareness, be something we as physicians, could consider?

Photo of Dr Michael Myers for article by Dr Michael Myers

Dr. Michael Myers on Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor

Dr Michael Myers - December 11, 2020 1

In this podcast, Michael Myers, MD, and John Budin, MD, discuss Dr. Myers' recent book Becoming a Doctors' Doctor: A Memoir, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic is helping medical professionals admit their vulnerabilities and steps clinicians can take when they have colleagues who may need professional help.

photo of woman in mask for article on masks by Dr Fiona Williams

Masks: are you wearing one?

Dr Fiona Williams - November 20, 2020 4

It’s 2020. The Year of the Mask. Whether you are a medical professional or not, you will have been asked to wear them, discern their worth, determine which type is best for you, consider their real purpose and deliberate on where you stand with respect to the health benefits they may offer you personally or the population as a whole.

Photo of pink rose for article by 'A Doctor's' Wife'

Diary of a Doctor’s Wife

A Doctor's Wife - November 11, 2020 1

These moments have taught me to become adaptable and go with the flow. My own solid rhythm is paramount these days, otherwise disappointment and frustration come knocking. Trust me, I have tried to control it and wanted it to be another way and it doesn’t work.

Remembering Dr. Lorna Breen on National Physician Suicide Awareness Day

Dr Michael Myers - October 21, 2020 0

September 17, 2020, marked the third annual National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. This is a day to remember physicians who have taken their own lives.

Lighthouse

A Doctor's Wife - October 8, 2020 0

We are each and every one of us a lighthouse, designed to shine bright and light the way for others. It is for us to let that light out and shine in full, reminding everyone we meet that they too are that light, for this light lives inside us all, and we are all here to shine and light the way home together.