Hospitality to Strangers

In an era of transition and tension in American health care Dorothy M. Owens offers a model of empathic communication that benefits both patients and physicians. Drawing from concepts in the domains of psychology and theology she constructs a model of empathy that is ethical and reciprocal. An integrated model of empathy recognizes the physical psychological spiritual and social nature of human beings. Empathy is a clinically useful time-effective communication skill that can be taught in medical and pastoral education. Dr. Owens''s unique approach to empathy is applicable to other professional and personal relationships as well.