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“The patient visits because her husband is seriously ill with metastasizing cancer. The doctor has known her (but not him) for years and followed the course of disease. The patient has 2 small children, and says that it is difficult to tell the children how ill their father is. Now they have received the message that nothing more can be done and that he will die within a few days. Tears burst into the eyes of the doctor when the patient tells this. She must swallow and gets Kleenex. The patient does not cry. Then the doctor writes another sick leave certificate to her. The patient has previously been sick-listed several times in this period. Some days later, the husband dies. Later on, the patient describes this event publicly. She says it had meant a lot for her that the doctor became touched.” The psychotic man
Establishing boundaries in therapy
Patient praising the doctor
The abortion
The divorce
Speaking in public
Panic anxiety
When the doctor cried
Chronic pain
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The Article in Brief
Background: Doctors often believe they are not supposed to show emotions to patients, yet many patients want a doctor who cares. This study explored how doctors can use their emotions and personal experiences to best serve patients. Participants in the study were family doctors, sociologists, and a psychologist.
What This Study Found: Under certain conditions, doctors� emotions and personal experiences can help patients. This includes a spontaneous, unplanned show of emotion by the doctor as well as a conscious decision by the doctor to share a personal experience. Doctors in the study consider sharing of emotions and experiences to be exceptions to their usual interactions with patients.
Implications:
� Personal sharing by a doctor has the potential to benefit patients.
� The findings of this study can be a springboard for exploration of the following areas:
- Do patients feel they benefit from personal sharing by their doctors?
- Under what circumstances?
- How can doctors share personal information in ways that are responsible and responsive?
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