On being both professional and human.

摘要

In several papers including an editorial following the paper entitled 'On being both professional and human: one woman's journey' there has been little focus on the responses of doctors as distinct from those of patients and carers. Carl Jung recognized the emotional influence that even apparently trivial interactions with their patients may have on doctors. Responsibility for the management of patients, particularly those with severe and complex illness, must surely provoke emotional reactions in the 'person within the doctor' - to paraphrase one of the authors. These are usually obscured by a rationalist denial fostered by medical training. Unfortunately, whereas such a response 'protects' the doctor from some discomfort it can lead to a demeanour, which patients perceive as 'cold' and 'impersonal' or at worse 'arrogant' and 'uncaring'.