Author: Epstein, Ronald M.D.
Call Number: 610.695 E64A 2017
Book description from amazon.com:
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 Read:
The author shared with readers "eight leaps" which help him refocus, explore, grow, and begin again with each patient. He invites readers to find their own leaps: "What is it that you face every day that is unresolved? What dilemmas and paradoxes do you face? "(page 187).
The eight leaps are:
From fragmented self to whole self
From othering to engagement
From objectivity to resonance
From detached concern to tenderness and steadiness
From self-protection to self-suspension
From well-being to resilience
From empathy to compassion
From whole mind to shared mind
Page 82-"They have learned to see their mental states as something they can control rather than the other way around; they know that these states are transitory and not enduring, that they ebb and flow. For example, they more readily distinguish between I am feeling angry-an emotion that they can control-and I am angry- a person whose anger is part of their identity. They learn to set aside their immediate reactions so that they can respond more mindfully." This statement is very helpful.
Page 170-"'What, in my work setting, gives me the greatest sense of joy, fulfillment, and meaning?'" Think about that question for a moment and then consider how much of my time do I actually spend doing those activities? It doesn't have to be 100 percent. Research shows that if physicians spend even 20 percent of their work time in the activities that they regard as the most meaningful, they're much less likely to be burned out, meaning that they're more able to tolerate the difficult moments."
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