In The International Journal of Whole Person Care, Nova Scholar Paul Dieppe reflects on lessons learned from a wise mentor about the value of presence over prescription in medical practice.
As a junior doctor, Paul’s mentor told him something puzzling—with experience, he would prescribe fewer drugs and learn to simply “be there” for patients. At the time, he dismissed this as new treatments were becoming available but after years of practice and a “mid-life crisis,” Paul began to understand that the essence of good medicine lay in our caring for each other.
So what did “being there” mean? Paul observed it meant deep listening and great compassion; understanding patients’ lives and showing genuine care. Sometimes the wisest intervention is simply being present.
