‘‘ The Medical Self’’ 65
hospital, he came to see her only once. She wanted to ask him a question. He said,‘‘ I’ ve been with you all my time in the OR. Good-bye.’’ He’ s a mean son of a bitch. But if you can tolerate that kind of idiocy, that’ s what you should do.
In this instance, Harry recommended acceptance of this surgeon’ s extreme style because of a specific medical treatment.
Most of the doctors prioritized a combination of technical and emotional strengths, and marginally more interpersonal skill over marginally more scientific know-how alone. Thoroughness and provision of necessary time were important. For example, Lou, with the award on his wall, described the category of a‘‘ classical’’ doctor— a‘‘ doctor’ s doctor’’— and how he chose one.
I didn’ t go to 400 doctors, getting opinions. I found the person I trusted— a superb internist, a classical physician. He practices holistic medicine, though he wouldn’ t call it that. He gets a detailed history and is empathetic. He practices medicine the way it’ s supposed to be practiced. You don’ t see it that much. He is a‘‘ doctor’ s doctor,’’ thoughtful and listening. He understands things and knows the literature. In law, they have a‘‘ counselor of the law.’’ We should have a‘‘ counselor of medicine.’’
These ill physicians thus drew fine, often implicit distinctions among their colleagues.
Others spoke more explicitly of valuing the psychological comforts they received from their providers. Many appreciated their physicians’ ability to ameliorate anxiety. Roxanne, the gastroenterologist, liked her doctor in part because he soothed her psychologically.‘‘ He was the best because he was experienced: he calmed me down.’’ She valued, too, not being abandoned as a patient.‘‘ He was always there, saying,‘ You are not alone.’’’ Even Lou, the physician with the award on his wall, wanted more reassurance than he received. His doctor was‘‘ civil,’’ but not encouraging— providing facts but not interpreting them.
He wasn’ t a cold fish, but was not warm. He wouldn’ t say,‘‘ The outlook is good,’’ but‘‘ The CT is negative.’’ The chances of cure were pretty good, but he wouldn’ t say that.
This doctor would merely provide‘‘ the facts’’ without their emotional implications.