The Healer's Power [Paperback]

Howard Brody M.D. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0300057830 | ISBN-13: 978-0300057836 | Publication Date: July 28, 1993

In this provocative new book a philosopher-physician explores issues of medical ethics involved in a physician's use of power. Drawing from literary works dealing with medical power-from Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor" to stories by Richard Selzer-Dr. Howard Brody argues that proposals to reduce or eliminate the power of the physician are misguided; instead, guidelines should be developed for the use of medical power so that the physician shares with the patient both information and the responsibility for deciding on appropriate treatment. "Some years ago, Brody, a physician with both clinical and academic obligations, began wondering why the concept of power so seldom entered into discussions of medical ethics. . . . This solidly written and documented book is Brody's closely reasoned, thought-provoking analysis of that concept. . . . An excellent text for-besides all levels of medical education-law discussion groups and individuals interested in the modern role of medicine."-Booklist "A book with an intellectual energy, literate style, and sturdy originality . . . We could not wish for a wiser guide than this book."-Michael Loudon, Lancet "I find Brody's book fascinating. Surely, the concept of power is of critical importance in medical ethics. It is time that someone provide the serious, systematic examination of it that Brody offers. Brody is one of a very small group of physicians doing serious work in medical ethics. It is delightful to receive his newest contribution. His extensive use of literary material makes the chapters both novel and enjoyable reading."-Robert M. Veatch

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Physician Brody, director of the Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences at Michigan State, offers new perspective on and fresh insights into medical ethics. Arguing that the central ethical problem in medicine is the responsible use of power, Brody draws on literary examples as well as the literature of medical ethics. In an unusual opening, he borrows freely from Dostoyevsky's chapter ``The Grand Inquisitor'' in The Brothers Karamazov to present the powerful ``Chief of Medicine'''s views on the proper use of the physician's power. Brody then contrasts this view with that provided by the healer known as ``Snake'' in Vonda McIntyre's short story ``Of Mist and Grass and Sand'' (reprinted in the appendix). Brody sees the physician's power as having three components: Aesculapian, based on knowledge of medicine; charismatic, based on the physician's personal qualities; and social, derived from the physician's status in society. His guidelines for responsible use of this power are that it be exercised to bring about a good outcome for patients; that physicians share power with their patients by informing them, in so far as patients wish, about the nature of their illness and the proposed treatment; and that physicians be sensitive to their patients' sense of powerlessness. Brody applies these guidelines to issues that commonly arise within medical ethics--informed consent, confidentiality, quality of life, etc.--and some less commonly discussed, such as the physician's income. Although his discussion is not comprehensive--ethical questions involving reproductive technology, brain death, medical research, and behavior control, for example, are not explored here--Brody offers a new conceptual framework for analyzing them. Erudite yet accessible: an excellent springboard for discussion of a compelling subject. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (July 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300057830
• ISBN-13: 978-0300057836
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,843,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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