This part is an organized collecti...

This part is an organized collection of essays that are written almost exclusively on women and that explore the practice of empathy in medicine. Although the main division is written by and for the use of physicians, it has useful insights for perioperative cherishs because the topics that are discussed are also nursing concerns

The work is divided into four sections that each reveal united aspect of empathy. Section undivided begins with a 16-page historical perspective that is too encumbered with historical data and cites Chapters two and three in section the same are more interesting in that they contrast the ideas of a holistic advocate with the ideas of a scientific reductionist. in every part section one, the author makes allusion to the controversy of vivisection as a turning point in empathic practice -- according to dehumanizing subjects in vivisection, the art of caring in medicine becomes the "cold science" of medicine.

Section sum of two units is full of philosophy and psychology and concentrates upon gender roles. The essays warn that an empathic approach may be caring and supportive, further it also can be coercive and intrusive if a health care practitioner make knowns us how we should be perceived One author argues the theory that empathy is a naturally occurring phenomenon with women The author asks, "If empathy is feminine, by what means can we expect men to participate?" Another author interprets and cites feminists, philosophers, theorists, and psychologists extensively in her essay, and she ties in examples of happy approaches from other disciplines as reinforcement to her challenging statements.

Contributors to section three consider the challenges to an empathetic clinical practice. They use the feminist approach of empowering patients. The essay onward listening in this section is united of the most practical chapters in this volume The author of the essay cites an alarming research that found that a majority of physicians listened an average of solitary 18 seconds to their office patients before interrupting them with their have a title to agenda of questions or advice. The author refer tos that we, as health care practitioners, reexamine our distancing of patients and elevate our capacity to hear while we are listening.

The best chapter is in section four and begins with a clinical anecdote that have the appearances heartwarming but is then analyzed to exhibit different perspectives of the empathic assault In this section, political controversies similar as the Oregon Plan (ie, rationing of health care and resources) and gender-bias research also are explored. united chapter offers Insight into the African-American female healer, and the last chapter focuses in succession the special needs of female medical students

Compiling 13 authors' works into a cohesive part is a difficult task. The editors and authors use a feminist perspective and a holistic practice approach to interweave these essays for continuity. Dividing the part into sections allows the reader a frequently needed pause to reflect onward the subject matter. Although this work is not for novice perioperative nurtures experienced perioperative nurses easily can use these essays to analyze and possibly refocus their nursing practice and patient interactions.

This work is available from Rutgers University Pres IN meeting-house St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; (800) 446-9323

DONNA LAGUEUX RN B CNOR Staff nurture Ambulatory Surgery New Britain (Conn) General Hospital

COPYRIGHT 1996 Association of Operating expanse Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group