The Nature of Suffering and the Goals of Medicine, 2nd edition

This is a revised and expanded edtion of a classic in palliative medicine, originally published in 1991. With three added chapters and a new preface summarizing our progress in the area of pain management, this is a must-hve for those in palliative medicine and hospice care. The obligation of physicians to relieve human suffering stretches back into antiquity. But what exactly, is suffering? One patient with metastic cancer of the stomach, from which he knew he would shortly die, said he was not suffering. Another, someone who had been operated on for a mior problem--in little pain and not seemingly distressed--said that even coming into the hospital had been a source of pain and not suffering. With such varied responses to the problem of suffering, inevitable questions arise. Is it the doctor's responsibility to treat the disease or the patient? And what is the relationship between suffering and the goals of medicine? According to Dr. Eric Cassell, these are crucial questions, but unfortunately, have remained only queries void of adequate solutions. It is time for the sick person, Cassell believes, to be not merely an important concern for physicians but the central focus of medicine. With this in mind, Cassell argues for an understanding of what changes should be made in order to successfully treat the sick while alleviating suffering, and how to actually go about making these changes with the methods and training techniques firmly rooted in the doctor's relationship with the patient. Dr. Cassell offers an incisive critique of the approach of modern medicine. Drawing on a number of evocative patient narratives, he writes that the goal of medicine must be to treat an individual's suffering, and not just the disease. In addition, Cassell's thoughtful and incisive argument will appeal to psychologists and psychiatrists interested in the nature of pain and suffering. Offers An Incisive Critique Of The Approach Of Modern Medicine. Drawing On A Number Of Evocative Patient Narratives, The Author Writes That The Enduring Goal Of Medicine Must Be The Relif Of Suffering. The Understanding Of Persons And Sickness Necessary To Achieve That Goal Illuminates The Treatment Of All. This Work Will Appeal To All Physicians And Others Interested In Medicine. Palliative Care And Hospice Workers, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, And Others Interested In Pain And Suffering Should Find It Particular Useful. Ideas In Conflict : The Rise And Fall Of New Views Of Disease -- The Changing Concept Of The Ideal Physician -- The Nature Of Suffering -- Suffering In Chronic Illness -- The Mysterious Relationship Between Doctor And Patient -- How To Understand Diseases -- The Pursuit Of Disease Or The Care Of The Sick? -- Treating The Disease, The Body, Or The Patient -- The Doctor And The Patient -- Who Is This Person? -- The Measure Of The Person -- The Clinician's Experience : Power Versus Magic In Medicine -- Mind And Body -- The Illness Called Dying -- Pain And Suffering -- Epilogue: The Care Of The Suffering Patient. Eric J. Cassell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 293-306) And Index. Contents 22 1. Ideas in Conflict: The Rise and Fall of New Views of Disease 26 2. The Changing Concept of the Ideal Physician 39 3. The Nature of Suffering 52 4. Suffering in Chronic Illness 69 5. The Mysterious Relationship Between Doctor and Patient 85 6. How to Understand Diseases 99 7. The Pursuit of Disease or the Care of the Sick? 111 8. Treating the Disease, the Body, or the Patient 131 9. The Doctor and the Patient 153 10. Who Is This Person? 171 11. The Measure of the Person 187 12. The Clinician's Experience: Power Versus Magic in Medicine 223 13. Mind and Body 244 14. The Illness Called Dying 266 15. Pain and Suffering 283 Epilogue: The Care of the Suffering Patient 301 Notes 316 Index 330 A 330 B 330 C 331 D 331 E 331 F 332 G 332 H 332 I 332 J 332 K 333 L 333 M 333 N 333 O 333 P 334 Q 335 R 335 S 335 T 336 U 336 V 336 W 336 Z 336 AS I SAT at the battered desk in the Bellevue Clinic, the young woman opposite me implored me to believe that her back really hurt.