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Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and the Culture of Medicine
What starts as personal dissatisfaction in the workplace can become personal transformation that changes clinical practice and ultimately changes the culture of medicine. Physicians and professionals train extensively to relieve suffering. Yet the systems they train and practice in create suffering for both themselves and their clients through the neglect of basic human needs. True healthcare reform requires addressing dehumanization in medicine by caring for the whole person of the professional and the patient. Re-humanizing Medicine provides a holistic framework to support human connection and the expression of full human being of doctors, professionals and patients. A clinician needs to be a whole person to treat a whole person, thus the work of transformation begins with clinicians. As professionals work to transform themselves, this will in turn transform their clinical practices and healthcare institutions.
- GenresNonfiction
419 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
5 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 5, 2022
We are humans after all!
This book is really helpful for practitioners, medical workers, students and, why not, patients.
Undoubtedly, psychological aspects are very important in the process of any treatment.
Humans are so complicated in terms of various biological systems, biochemistry, mentality etc.
Taking a holistic and more human approach to medicine, especially modern one, is crucial indeed.
In some parts of the world, the current state of healthcare is sometimes appalling, unfortunately.
However, the doctor-patient relationship is a great starting point, no matter the technology level of any hospital. Friendship and trust are the basis of human interaction, even in the latter context - from a receptionist, to a nurse to a surgeon/professor.
Very professional and insightful read.
Highly recommended!
This book is really helpful for practitioners, medical workers, students and, why not, patients.
Undoubtedly, psychological aspects are very important in the process of any treatment.
Humans are so complicated in terms of various biological systems, biochemistry, mentality etc.
Taking a holistic and more human approach to medicine, especially modern one, is crucial indeed.
In some parts of the world, the current state of healthcare is sometimes appalling, unfortunately.
However, the doctor-patient relationship is a great starting point, no matter the technology level of any hospital. Friendship and trust are the basis of human interaction, even in the latter context - from a receptionist, to a nurse to a surgeon/professor.
Very professional and insightful read.
Highly recommended!
May 28, 2021
"Rehumanization reconnects the art and science of medicine, the heart, and the mind."
Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and theCulture of Medicine is written by David R. Kopacz, MD, an expert with vast experience in the medical field. Consisted of 5 parts with a few chapters, the author will discuss the importance of re-humanizing or transforming medicine and few things related to it.
As David had stated, the book's purpose is to define holistic medicine as a paradigm and discussing contemporary medicine. It also exposes the reality of the dehumanization of medicine that occurs especially in developed countries like the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada. This is somewhat an alarming issue that seems to become more rampant in today's era. Soon, when the Covid-19 pandemic had occurred in early the year 2020, this issue had become more worse and worrying, not only in the developed countries but also around the world. Physical dissatisfaction and burnout among physicians and medical staff seem like a common reality in the medical world.
Because of that, the importance and the increasing need to transforming medicine is a solution to curb this issue. In this book with using the holistic approach, David provides a framework to begins the re-humanizing the medicine. He also stated the principles of holistic medicine that had been developed by the American Holistic Medical Association in 1978 as a solid foundation for the framework. He also mentioned the Models of Medicine that had been used in the medical field such as the Traditional Model, the Foundational Model, the Biomedical, and the Economic Rational Model. The last two models had influenced US contemporary medicine.
Written in an understandable language and the topics are well-arranged, although it is specifically written for clinicians, doctors, and physicians, everyone, especially those who concern about the medical issues especially during these difficult times, should read this. I learned a lot from it and it gives some important insights into what happening from behind the scenes in the medical world. I am not hesitant to give 5-star to it. Thanks to the author for this eye-opening work.
Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and theCulture of Medicine is written by David R. Kopacz, MD, an expert with vast experience in the medical field. Consisted of 5 parts with a few chapters, the author will discuss the importance of re-humanizing or transforming medicine and few things related to it.
As David had stated, the book's purpose is to define holistic medicine as a paradigm and discussing contemporary medicine. It also exposes the reality of the dehumanization of medicine that occurs especially in developed countries like the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada. This is somewhat an alarming issue that seems to become more rampant in today's era. Soon, when the Covid-19 pandemic had occurred in early the year 2020, this issue had become more worse and worrying, not only in the developed countries but also around the world. Physical dissatisfaction and burnout among physicians and medical staff seem like a common reality in the medical world.
Because of that, the importance and the increasing need to transforming medicine is a solution to curb this issue. In this book with using the holistic approach, David provides a framework to begins the re-humanizing the medicine. He also stated the principles of holistic medicine that had been developed by the American Holistic Medical Association in 1978 as a solid foundation for the framework. He also mentioned the Models of Medicine that had been used in the medical field such as the Traditional Model, the Foundational Model, the Biomedical, and the Economic Rational Model. The last two models had influenced US contemporary medicine.
Written in an understandable language and the topics are well-arranged, although it is specifically written for clinicians, doctors, and physicians, everyone, especially those who concern about the medical issues especially during these difficult times, should read this. I learned a lot from it and it gives some important insights into what happening from behind the scenes in the medical world. I am not hesitant to give 5-star to it. Thanks to the author for this eye-opening work.
March 31, 2022
Rehumanizing Medicine: Review
Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and the Culture of Medicine ~ David R. Kopacz, MD
Too much? Too little? Just right, depending on the audience.
I learned things. I knew things. He instructed, directed, sometimes confused but overall, it was an informative, enlightening, and motivating read. While it was true that there were sections that did not pertain to me – like rehumanizing a medical practise. It was clear that that was not completely true as some of the principles could be applied to other professional practices and businesses – including Business English Coaching.
The dangers of bureaucracies: While bureaucracies tend to take on a life of their own, and become a problem everywhere, it seems they hit hard in the medical field. More paper safeguards and less time with patients seems to become the norm. Billings to the state or to insurance companies do not help the situation. As adding another bureaucracy to the initial bureaucracy does not create a solution, but a geometric problem. The author addresses this in the process he calls “Dehumanization in Contemporary Medicine.”
Medicine, primarily but not only in America, has become a business, instead of a “Healing Practice.” Tests, consults, more tests, more consults – and hopefully time, will help patients heal themselves. Unless you have money/insurance for the battery of tests up front. But does it heal the whole human?
The author then takes us on a journey that is both medical and spiritual on what it means to be, to heal, and to sustain humanity. There are few simple answers. Medicine must be redefined. He tantalizes us with, “A Holistic Framework for Being Human.” It is, in part, a journey of discovery – for patients, for healers, for systems, for society.
The author also explains how he attempted to create a Holistic Practice. I was skimming this section, when I realized that these insights could be used in many different professions and businesses. From coffee to legal; from accounting to zoos.
In the end it seems to me that it is about time. Time to get started. Time to see it through. Time with patients. Time for paperwork. Time – time – time. Needed more time is a given. Getting more time, well that requires magic, or delegation. The solution? More healers, working in times, looking at the welfare of the whole human – that might help with what Doctor Kopacz calls, “Reconnection and Re-humanization in Medicine.”
My copy of the book was supplied by @Booktasters. It was not always a fun read as the good doctor ladles the book with references and background that sometimes interrupt the flow of the story telling. However, it is in many ways a necessary book. The message should be studied and learnt not only in medical schools but in governance courses that range from governing hospitals to governing counties, states, provinces, and countries. Let’s get to it.
Thank you David R. Kopacz, MD.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2022...
Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and the Culture of Medicine ~ David R. Kopacz, MD
Too much? Too little? Just right, depending on the audience.
I learned things. I knew things. He instructed, directed, sometimes confused but overall, it was an informative, enlightening, and motivating read. While it was true that there were sections that did not pertain to me – like rehumanizing a medical practise. It was clear that that was not completely true as some of the principles could be applied to other professional practices and businesses – including Business English Coaching.
The dangers of bureaucracies: While bureaucracies tend to take on a life of their own, and become a problem everywhere, it seems they hit hard in the medical field. More paper safeguards and less time with patients seems to become the norm. Billings to the state or to insurance companies do not help the situation. As adding another bureaucracy to the initial bureaucracy does not create a solution, but a geometric problem. The author addresses this in the process he calls “Dehumanization in Contemporary Medicine.”
Medicine, primarily but not only in America, has become a business, instead of a “Healing Practice.” Tests, consults, more tests, more consults – and hopefully time, will help patients heal themselves. Unless you have money/insurance for the battery of tests up front. But does it heal the whole human?
The author then takes us on a journey that is both medical and spiritual on what it means to be, to heal, and to sustain humanity. There are few simple answers. Medicine must be redefined. He tantalizes us with, “A Holistic Framework for Being Human.” It is, in part, a journey of discovery – for patients, for healers, for systems, for society.
The author also explains how he attempted to create a Holistic Practice. I was skimming this section, when I realized that these insights could be used in many different professions and businesses. From coffee to legal; from accounting to zoos.
In the end it seems to me that it is about time. Time to get started. Time to see it through. Time with patients. Time for paperwork. Time – time – time. Needed more time is a given. Getting more time, well that requires magic, or delegation. The solution? More healers, working in times, looking at the welfare of the whole human – that might help with what Doctor Kopacz calls, “Reconnection and Re-humanization in Medicine.”
My copy of the book was supplied by @Booktasters. It was not always a fun read as the good doctor ladles the book with references and background that sometimes interrupt the flow of the story telling. However, it is in many ways a necessary book. The message should be studied and learnt not only in medical schools but in governance courses that range from governing hospitals to governing counties, states, provinces, and countries. Let’s get to it.
Thank you David R. Kopacz, MD.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2022...
February 8, 2022
I spent a career in the Navy, getting poked and prodded annually by physicians who seemed both to know what they were doing and care about their jobs. These dedicated folks spent THEIR careers ensuring that we were able to do our jobs to the best of our ability, interrelating mental, physical, and social care. They weren't treating us like technology; they were holistically treating us like people.
Fast forward. The family doctor I chose to see spent 15 minutes doing my annual physical, but he spent his entire time at his laptop. Before seeing him, I got blood and urine drawn, but for the actual physical, he considered asking a series of questions to be sufficient. For that 15-minute physical, the charge was $453. The results were mailed to me, complete with a summary of whatever the blood and urine revealed. Total price $851. It may have been the least personal examination of any kind I ever experienced.
Re-Humanizing Medicine is the author's effort to return to my first description and steer clear of the second. In his opinion, doctors are suffering from a form of PTSD - burnout from chronic pressure, decreased enthusiasm, low morale, bemoaning lack of autonomy and demands of additional paperwork., but all of those are merely symptoms - the cause of the difficulty is a less human medical atmosphere, driven by business profit or loss.
In the words of one of his reviewers, "Modern medical practice has developed a profound arrogance
over the recent past, choosing to ignore the time old lessons from our traditional healer colleagues who have been trained in the art of healing from a different perspective that engages overall
health and well-being through a fundamental understanding of human systems, culture and social environments." Author Kopacz offers a number of remedies to this situation and offers them in a format that a non-medical person such as me can read with little difficulty.
Fast forward. The family doctor I chose to see spent 15 minutes doing my annual physical, but he spent his entire time at his laptop. Before seeing him, I got blood and urine drawn, but for the actual physical, he considered asking a series of questions to be sufficient. For that 15-minute physical, the charge was $453. The results were mailed to me, complete with a summary of whatever the blood and urine revealed. Total price $851. It may have been the least personal examination of any kind I ever experienced.
Re-Humanizing Medicine is the author's effort to return to my first description and steer clear of the second. In his opinion, doctors are suffering from a form of PTSD - burnout from chronic pressure, decreased enthusiasm, low morale, bemoaning lack of autonomy and demands of additional paperwork., but all of those are merely symptoms - the cause of the difficulty is a less human medical atmosphere, driven by business profit or loss.
In the words of one of his reviewers, "Modern medical practice has developed a profound arrogance
over the recent past, choosing to ignore the time old lessons from our traditional healer colleagues who have been trained in the art of healing from a different perspective that engages overall
health and well-being through a fundamental understanding of human systems, culture and social environments." Author Kopacz offers a number of remedies to this situation and offers them in a format that a non-medical person such as me can read with little difficulty.
December 27, 2021
"You cannot treat a whole person if you do not know, yourself, what it is to be a whole person." (p.116)
In this book, Dr. Kopacz gave broad concepts and examples of medical practice, especially in the USA and New Zealand, where the systems are familiar to him. He explained why he thought medicine today is dehumanized. Then, he came with the holistic framework, which is considered a way to rehumanize medicine.
I think the medical situation in my country is similar to what this book described. Fortunately, some institutions I know have already adopted a holistic approach, so the students learn not to ignore patients' preferences in evidence-based medicine. However, it may only answer problems superficially because, in practice, reality may be far from theory.
"Doctors are not encouraged to think philosophically and the curriculum does not include the history of medicine and science." (p.47)
This book stated comprehensive steps to rehumanize medicine. It went from transforming ourselves, creating holistic practices, and rehumanizing the culture. I like how the author described his view in continuity and familiarized readers with his point of view. Nonetheless, this book served as a broad and general reflection.
As a book written for medical practitioners, I found some chapters repeat unnecessary information. Maybe because I undergo different experiences, I expect this book went deeper. For instance, ethical issues that may arise from the approach. As there are no strict rules, we should consider the possible problems if this approach becomes a norm in medicine.
"Where knowledge ceases to be important, wisdom can be helpful." (p.118)
December 16, 2021
The book being propagated as something to read for medical practitioner, I found some of the content to be unnecessary if they are purely the target audience. Being a healthcare worker myself the first few chapters about "de-humanizing" of medical practice is nothing new or suprising. Also while I looked forward to reading the "re-humanizing" part I found that there weren't much solutions to adapt but to totally change or use "alternate" methods. Secondly the whole part of "re- humanizing" self content nothing very specific or out of the box for medical practitioner, it's very general and is not different from things you find in other self help books.
I won't deny it was interesting to read the author's journey of coming into a new way of practicing. But again the solutions or suggestions that followed were merely loose ideas or thoughts and nothing concrete.
Overall the book was very philosophical based and definitely not what I expected it to be based on the title, summary, preface and foreward.
I won't deny it was interesting to read the author's journey of coming into a new way of practicing. But again the solutions or suggestions that followed were merely loose ideas or thoughts and nothing concrete.
Overall the book was very philosophical based and definitely not what I expected it to be based on the title, summary, preface and foreward.
March 4, 2022
This book reminds me of my experiences when I gave birth to my two babies and my experiences when I went to see doctors. I deeply appreciate the writer’s efforts to re-humanize medicine. In China, many people prefer to take Traditional Chinese Medicines and see the doctors, including me. Usually the TCM doctors will check how we look, how we feel, how we live and work in daily life as well as our diseases. And when we communicate with them and show too many worries, the doctors can also help us to adjust our emotions. So we feel we are real humans in front of the doctors, not defective products on the production line. Although I’m not a doctor, I got lots of helpful ideas from the book about personal growth and how to deal with the relationships among Self, ego, head, heart, body and so on. It’s important for everyone who wants to keep a healthy and balanced life.
October 11, 2022
"Re-humanizing Medicine" by David. R. Kopacz, is an amazingly comprehensive book. The author makes an excellent case for practicing holistic-oriented medicine with physicians. It is marvellous change agent for health caretakers who have existance prospects regarding real state of medicine with available environment. Book author is sharing good and concise message to the physicians that they need to heal themselves first with the knowing of hearts and spirits.
It is an excellent book for physicians regarding all the perspectives that need for the life changing challenges to them. It is the time needed and wise guide for those who is familiar with reality of the journey.
I will recommend this book to all medical institutes. Its a highly essential book with amazing and meaningful title.
It is an excellent book for physicians regarding all the perspectives that need for the life changing challenges to them. It is the time needed and wise guide for those who is familiar with reality of the journey.
I will recommend this book to all medical institutes. Its a highly essential book with amazing and meaningful title.
April 24, 2017
In his book Re-humanizing Medicine: A Holistic Framework for Transforming Your Self, Your Practice, and the Culture of Medicine, David Kopacz, MD explains how US healthcare has gotten to the point where humanism in medicine has been depleted and pushed aside, while technology has seen an explosion in both importance and innovation. This book proposes a very real set of instructions on how to reinstate humanism– personally, in practice, and in the greater healthcare community.
Kopacz presents numerous examples in which the technical, financial, and scientific aspects of medicine have led to detached and de-humanized practice. For example, recent focus on costs and other economic aspects of medicine have lead to a pay structure where spending extra time with a patient fiscally irresponsible. And the trend of subspecialization requires highly coordinated care that is not currently being provided.
Kopacz addresses the difficulty in improving the quality of healthcare without simultaneously making economic and biomedical sacrifices. His answer to today’s system is a composite framework he labels “holistic medicine” which considers health in broader terms. Kopacz posits that we can piece the human patient back together from the current dismembered, subspecialized, detached state. Along with the ten founding principles of humanistic medicine, Kopacz presents an original nine-dimensional framework on what makes up a human being, all of which must be acknowledged and understood to practice real holistic medicine.
In the instructional portion of his work, Kopacz offers three levels on which we must reinstate humanism:
Personal setting: Before one can set off trying to fix the world with holistic medicine, one must start with himself. Kopacz shares specific exercises corresponding with each of the ten principles of holistic medicine. Exercises range in intensity from simple thinking exercises to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medical setting: Kopacz affirms a potential for holistic and humanistic advocacy and action in all roles within the medical field. He gives specific instructions on how and where physician autonomy can be utilized to work in holism into the medical field.
Leadership setting: Compassionate leadership must begin with internal leadership, and transcend all levels of medicine. It is through advocacy, mindfulness and active compassion, that holistic leadership can shape and eventually revolutionize medicine.
Re-Humanizing Medicine thoroughly addresses a rather intimidating issue, breaking it down into practical, doable steps. His frequent use of personal experience adds interesting narrative and his language is simple (making instructions easy to follow). Overall, Kopacz succeeds in convincing his audience to follow his lead, to lift medicine out of the trend of dehumanization and reclaim its purpose.
- Melissa Notis, APGF Intern
Kopacz presents numerous examples in which the technical, financial, and scientific aspects of medicine have led to detached and de-humanized practice. For example, recent focus on costs and other economic aspects of medicine have lead to a pay structure where spending extra time with a patient fiscally irresponsible. And the trend of subspecialization requires highly coordinated care that is not currently being provided.
Kopacz addresses the difficulty in improving the quality of healthcare without simultaneously making economic and biomedical sacrifices. His answer to today’s system is a composite framework he labels “holistic medicine” which considers health in broader terms. Kopacz posits that we can piece the human patient back together from the current dismembered, subspecialized, detached state. Along with the ten founding principles of humanistic medicine, Kopacz presents an original nine-dimensional framework on what makes up a human being, all of which must be acknowledged and understood to practice real holistic medicine.
In the instructional portion of his work, Kopacz offers three levels on which we must reinstate humanism:
Personal setting: Before one can set off trying to fix the world with holistic medicine, one must start with himself. Kopacz shares specific exercises corresponding with each of the ten principles of holistic medicine. Exercises range in intensity from simple thinking exercises to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medical setting: Kopacz affirms a potential for holistic and humanistic advocacy and action in all roles within the medical field. He gives specific instructions on how and where physician autonomy can be utilized to work in holism into the medical field.
Leadership setting: Compassionate leadership must begin with internal leadership, and transcend all levels of medicine. It is through advocacy, mindfulness and active compassion, that holistic leadership can shape and eventually revolutionize medicine.
Re-Humanizing Medicine thoroughly addresses a rather intimidating issue, breaking it down into practical, doable steps. His frequent use of personal experience adds interesting narrative and his language is simple (making instructions easy to follow). Overall, Kopacz succeeds in convincing his audience to follow his lead, to lift medicine out of the trend of dehumanization and reclaim its purpose.
- Melissa Notis, APGF Intern
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews