Brief Description
This 1995 book examines what it is that doctors do, and what patients expect of them.
Learn More about the Book
Although its impressive achievements are obvious, modern medicine seems to have failed to satisfy public expectations. Arguing that knowledge of science and ethics cannot heal the rift, this study asserts the need to improve upon communication between physician and patient.
On the Back Cover
In the late twentieth century the impressive achievements of modern medicine are obvious. Yet medicine seems to have failed to satisfy public expectations. Is there something wrong with medical research and practice? This book, written by a surgeon with more than 30 years experience of clinical medicine, examines what it is that doctors do, and what it is that patients expect them to do. It finds that in the face of uncertainty, expectation and reality often diverge. Starting from the communication difficulties that exist between doctors and patients, Humane Medicine explores the roles of science, ethics and the humanities in medical practice. It forcefully argues that more science cannot heal this rift nor can better education in ethics. To foster better communication, medical teachers must change their philosophy and methods, so that value-laden issues in clinical medicine are interwoven with the necessary science. Professor Little outlines some possible ways to achieve this.
Review Quotes
1. "This is not a book by a professional philosopher, but is nonetheless a valuable contribution in applied philosophy, specifically in the philosophy of medicine. Little is a Professor of Surgery, but one who is obviously widely read and aware of the contributions that philosophy and the other humanities, such as literature, make to medicine....The book...is not so much written as a textbook, but rather as a book in which a certain vision is put forward....The book is therefore a solid contribution to philosophy of medicine, and should be a standard reference book in all medical libraries." Keith Joseph, Philosophy in Review
2. 'I have no doubt that this book should be read by all medical students.' Sir Norman Browse, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
3. 'Miles Little has the rare talent of combining an active clinical practice with the ability to write on philosophical and ethical problems in medicine.' Kenneth Mealy, British Journal of Biomedical Science
4. '... a very ambitious, and exceptionally intelligent and impartial book on the 'state of medicine'... Professor Little's book is both well written and well worth investing in ... it is distinctly possible that Humane Medicine describes an agenda for the big medical debate of the next few years.' Bruce Charlton, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London
5. ?I have no doubt that this book should be read by all medical students.? Sir Norman Browse, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
6. ?Miles Little has the rare talent of combining an active clinical practice with the ability to write on philosophical and ethical problems in medicine.? Kenneth Mealy, British Journal of Biomedical Science
7. ?... a very ambitious, and exceptionally intelligent and impartial book on the ?state of medicine?... Professor Little's book is both well written and well worth investing in ... it is distinctly possible that Humane Medicine describes an agenda for the big medical debate of the next few years.? Bruce Charlton, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London
