Attending Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity By Ronald Epstein, M.D.
When I was asked if I would like to review Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity I hesitated at first. I am not a health care professional. Why would it be of interest to me? Then something kept bringing me back to the email and I said yes. I’m glad I did. Not only do I have many friends that work in the health care field in various ways, but I also many folks that suffer from chronic illnesses and I thought this might be a great tool in looking for a health care professional that fits their needs.
About Attending Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity:
The first book for the general public about mindfulness and medical practice, a groundbreaking, intimate exploration of how doctors think and what matters most—safe, effective, patient-centered, compassionate care—from the foremost expert in the field.
As a third-year Harvard Medical School student doing a clinical rotation in surgery, Ronald Epstein watched an error unfold: an experienced surgeon failed to notice his patient’s kidney turning an ominous shade of blue. In that same rotation, Epstein was awestruck by another surgeon’s ability to avert an impending disaster, slowing down from autopilot to intentionality. The difference between these two doctors left a lasting impression on Epstein and set the stage for his life’s work—to identify the qualities and habits that distinguish masterful doctors from those who are merely competent. The secret, he learned, was mindfulness.
In Attending, his first book, Dr. Epstein builds on his world-renowned, innovative programs in mindful practice and uses gripping and deeply human clinical stories to give patients a language to describe what they value most in health care and to outline a road map for doctors and other health care professionals to refocus their approach to medicine. Drawing on his clinical experiences and current research, and exploring four foundations of mindfulness—Attention, Curiosity, Beginner’s Mind, and Presence—Dr. Epstein introduces a revolutionary concept: by looking inward, health care practitioners can grow their capacity to provide high-quality care and the resilience to be there when their patients need them.
The commodification of health care has shifted doctors’ focus away from the healing of patients to the bottom line. Clinician burnout is at an all-time high. Attending is the antidote. With compassion and intelligence, Epstein offers a crucial, timely book that shows us how we can restore humanity to medicine, guides us toward a better overall quality of care, and reminds us of what matters most.
My Thoughts:
This book is for both doctor and patients alike. I have traveled to doctors that I can connect with on a level that I consider above the typical physician/patient relationship. I love how Dr. Epstein describes how he maintains focus and compassion. This is a true gift not only for the patient, but for the doctor as well. Doctors experience such a high level of stress and Dr. Epstein explores how mindfulness can help reduce this type of stress. He also illustrates how this kind of mindfulness can also be more effective in care and diagnoses of patients. It makes for more of a human connection which is lacking in today’s technology driven society. Personally, I know at times that I have felt like cattle in a doctor’s office, just waiting to be lead in, barely looked at in the eye, and dismissed in my symptoms don’t follow what they “think” could be cause of my problem.
Dr. Epstein takes us through numerous medical anecdotes where we learn and can understand how mindfulness can make a doctor more sensitive to everything in his medical surroundings. It truly is an enhanced quality of listening and empathy in being a caregiver. These are all things that I find make a better and more compassionate practitioner. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the healthcare field, caregivers, and patients. ( That I guess covers about everyone!) We all know that patient satisfaction helps in healing and providing better outcomes.
About the Author
Dr. Ronald Epstein is a practicing family physician, is a professor of family medicine, psychiatry, and oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he directs the Center for Communication and Disparities Research and codirects Mindful Practice programs. He is an internationally recognized educator, writer, and researcher whose landmark article, “Mindful Practice,” published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1999, has revolutionized physicians’ view of their work. Dr. Epstein has been named one of America’s Best Doctors every year since 1998 by U.S. News & World Report. Visit Dr. Epstein at RonaldEpstein.com.
Rebecca Bryant says
This sounds like a great book. As a long term patient, I think it’s important to connect with your doctors. I am adding this to my reading list.
Reesa Lewandowski says
Oh I am really intrigued about this book! I will have to look it up on my kindle!
Renz says
My job is encouraging us to get into mindfulness more. I am intrigued from this review. I would look this book up
Anitra Elmore says
This book definitely offers an interesting perspective. I hope it’s getting widespread coverage in health-care circles. It appears he offers some great insight for doctors.
Tee says
Thanks for sharing your book review. I’d like to look it up. My mother had some bad experiences with doctors that could have been avoided.
Liz Mays says
Seeing the practicality of mindfulness from a medical perspective should be interesting. There may be a lot of important things we miss by not being mindful.
Dawn Nieves says
This sounds like a really interesting book. I’m always looking for good, interesting books and I’m going to have to check this out!
Ashley says
As someone who believes in natural medicine and not just jumping on medical intervention unless necessary this sounds like an interesting read. I like what you said about switching from auto pilot to intentional reactions.
Kristin says
This is super interesting to me. I had a physiology professor in college say at the beginning of the year that the goal of his class was for us to know when something was wrong in our bodies and when to go to the doctor. I really appreciated that. We can always learn more about our own health!
Carol Bryant says
I am all about western and eastern medicine together. I love that this book encompasses so many facets of natural medicine. I am being more purposeful in my actions as part of my 2017 declarations.
carissa garabedian says
I would like to read this book as a patient, and I would like my husband to read it as a doctor. Doctor burn out is so high and the system is continuing to make this impossible for all of us. This book sounds like one everyone can gain something from!
Claudia Krusch says
This sounds like an interesting book. I will have to pick up a copy and check it out. have been looking for book suggestions.
Alicia Taylor says
I believe that it’s important for patients to read books like this. They need to be enlightened about more wholistic care options.
Nicole says
This seems like a great read. I’m always looking for a doctor that is more mindful, because my first thought is what is the root cause and how do I fix this naturally. I might pick this up! I’m really interested.