By Nancy Tomes (NHC Fellow, 1999–00; 2022–23) In a work that spans the twentieth century, Nancy Tomes questions the popular–and largely unexamined–idea that in order to get good health care, people must learn to shop for it. Remaking the American Patient explores the consequences of the consumer economy and American medicine having come of age at exactly … Continued
By Mack Lipkin (NHC Fellow, 1978–79) This book strives to bridge the gap between doctors and patients by removing the unfortunate emotional barrier between some doctors and patients, and permits the reader to look into the mind and heart of one humanistic medical practitioner whose care of his patients has remained first on his list … Continued
In this video, Dr. Michael Stanley celebrates a philosophy of healthcare that sees patients as more than the sum of their medical symptoms, drawing from the rich legacies of philosophy, mythology, and literature to understand individuals and their circumstances. Sir William Osler, one of the earliest proponents of such logic, articulates the manner in which … Continued
Walking the cobble-stone streets of a Bolivian village, I witnessed how a new clinic in a medically underserved area hadn’t made much of an impact. I was visiting a remote outpost to better understand the challenges in promoting health in poor Latin American communities. People come here only as a last resort because of the … Continued