Saving the Art of Medicine

In his deeply thoughtful book Dr. Sussman provides an expansive view of the field and all that being a healer entails. Sharing stories from his training as well as practice drawing on data from a wealth of studies and including a nuanced discussion of clinical trials he argues that medicine should be more than just the treatment of a diseased or broken body part. Rather physicians must respect the complex interrelationships of mind body and spirit seeking always to connect the part to the whole.<br /><br />Saving the Art of Medicine starts with the history of medicine in shamanic times and culminates in a discussion of how a doctor heals even at the time of death. It delves into a multitude of phenomena such as nonpharmacological pathways to health the doctor-patient connection and the power of our minds. Comprehensive and multi-faceted the book is a profound acknowledgment of the art of medicine and unveils an extraordinary potential within the field.<br /><br />Underpinning all is the idea that open mindedness humility and compassion play an integral role. Only by cultivating these virtues can doctors achieve the highest levels of well-being for their patients and meet their own full potential as healers. Dr. Sussman's journey and his inspiring vision of medicine as a combined science and art make this a must-read for medical students doctors and anyone interested in improving their own medical care and the healthcare system at large.