Customer Reviews

The Lost Art of Healing

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I bought a copy for myself, and now I am trying to give a copy to everybody I know who is involved in patient care. Most of us went into the medical field with noble aspirations to take care of others and in doing so, to grow ourselves as human beings. The process of going through a medical education debases in many respects our initial aspirations. I read this book and found myself recentered. Dr. Lown approaches medicine as an opportunity to glean from the people for whom he cares. The book is filled with anecdotes gathered from decades of doctoring. The stories lead the reader along the same journey that the author has taken in coming to a sense of himself as a healer. The characters whom have filled his life are interesting and the story of Dr. Lown's personal journey from medical student, to researcher to teacher and master clinician, is fascinating. I highly recommend this book. It has changed the way that I approach my work and given me a zest for opportunities to grow in this profession.

This is an incredible book. Written by the cardiologist who helped bring us DC cardioversion, and lidocaine for arrhythmias, it surprisingly focuses on the human aspects of medicine.

He makes several critical points: the most important task for us as physicians is to first listen to our patients. He encourages us to make our diagnoses and prognoses on the basis of careful history taking and examination, rather than by laboratory testing. He also exhorts us to take the responsibility of appropriately reassuring and encouraging our patients, rather than just always hedging our bets to cover our malpractice worries.

The book is very well written and edited, and contains dozens of fascinating doctor/patient vignettes. He explores the boundaries of the patient/doctor relationship, and is well aware of the times it leads him astray.

He is not afraid to interject his personal religious philosophy (as an agnostic from a Jewish background) but respects those with other opinions.

This text contains far more valuable information for physicians than any biochemistry or histology text. Hopefully wise Deans will make it required reading for their medical school

Thomas H. Bracken MD Onamia MN

I happen to know this book at library. At that time I read this in Japanese, but I was realy moved what the aouther says. Now I am learning about oriental medicine and I realized the importance about talking and thinking with paitents. Since my knoweledge about hearts is very poor, I cannnot understand medical things. But this book will be my bible, so I will try to read also in English. I just want to say thank you to the aouthor and let he know thatthere are many acupuncturists who want to act to the patients like you. Thank you very much.

In a profession dominated increasingly by science and technology, it is heartening to hear a courageous voice who spoke forcefully and emphatically against the dehumanization of medicine and for the urgent need to return to the traditional ethos of medicine. This coming no less from a physician of Dr Lown's stature and credentials, a technological wizard who had given the world the first cardioverter and DC defribillator. and yet managed to stay aloof and above the lure of medical scientific and technical sophistry which had captured the awe and fantasy of many of today's medical students and doctors alike. Debunking the myth of the omnipotence of clinical medicine, Dr Lown sought to reconcile the divide between the art and science of medicine, advocating a more humane approach towards the management of patients. He is both a philosopher and a healer, equipped with an open mind and divergent mindset extending beyond the normal confines of medical practice. As a young medical student struggling with the heavy workload imposed by an explosion of medical scientific knowledge, Dr Lown's book is thought-provoking and inspiring, a timely reminder that knowledge and academic grades are merely a means to an end and that human qualities such as empathy, compassion and a sound understanding of the human condition is not only crucial in medical practice, but must be reinforced and developed in the impressionable medical student navigating through rigors and constraints of his studies and training.

Truly a courageous piece of work by this remarkable physician. Rarely can one read a treatise by an "insider" so intimate and revealing as this jewel. Dr. Lown pulls no punches and insists on the reader's full attention. Anyone who cares about and takes responsibility for his own health should read this riveting tome. Any physician who wishes to learn from a master must read and listen...Lown is truly both artist and healer

This book is such a stimulus to refocus on the human side of our patients, and some helps on how to do it. The cases are poignant in their revealing of those loveable traits of our fellow man. I could hardly wait to get back to the office.

[Reviewed for practicing physicians}: I loved this book. Having heard Dr. Lown's science as a trainee, I had no real idea of his humanism, or how he feels about his patients. A Harvard Professor who is humbled by his patients problems when they don't fit traditional science, and admits it in print! Someone who obviously knows and respects his patients for their individuality and loves them despite their fallibility. I went to see my patients the day after finishing Dr. Lown's book wanting to match his dedication and honored to be in the practice of medicine. Read it! It'll energize you, and can't but help your own patients.

I just recently ran across this book, not having been aware of its existence. It took awhile for me to get through it, because it was filled with so many riveting stories, and each story is such a teaching. I wish I had had such a courageous role model when I was in medical school. Dr. Lown's words empower me even more now, as I practice Mind-Body medicine. Abby Caplin, MD. San Francisco, CA

I was assigned this book in an East/West compartive medical class for College, and everybody loved it not just as a literary work but guide to life. Lown shares an ability with Dr. Andrew Weil in that his compassionate and balanced philosophies on life and medicine are backed up and validated by hisscientific knowledge. This book is just as much official text as it is commentary. Most anyone with an interest or passion in medicine or the healing arts would find enrichment from "The Lost Art of Healing."

Book Review
The Lost Art of Healing is a skillfully written account of the experiences of Dr. Bernard Lown. He provides a detailed record of the training that had a profound influence on his view of medicine, how he interacted with his patients and how the combination of the two resulted in some of the best practices in medicine for him. Dr. Lown suggests that the study of medicine has become a matter of time and money. With less emphasis being placed on patient care, oftentimes the underlying condition that the patient is experiencing is overshadowed by what is merely presented to the doctor. Lown states that he is "convinced that listening beyond the chief complaint is the most effective, quickest, and least costly way to get to the bottom of most medical problems." Perhaps it is Lown's fascination with psychology that drove him to seek further understanding regarding the correlation between effective medical treatment and patient-doctor relationships. No matter the reason, this book signifies the major shifts that have been made from a hands-on medical approach to a technology based approach. Although there have been major advances in the last half a century, all medical practices are not "soundly based" and sometimes it's the message of the messenger that is the ultimate prescription for relief. For example, Lown speaks of a 95 year-old patient that visited him because he suffered from severe stomach cramps every time he ate. This patient had been to every clinic available and was told that there was no cure or relief for his condition. When the patient's son attributed his father's discomfort to his age Dr. Lown questioned "What has age to do with suffering?". Although the prescribed action brought only moderate relief to the patient, he had confidence and comfort in knowing that he had found a doctor that had not given up on him. Healing is about restoring balance and hope in a person's life and it is apparent that through his experiences Dr. Lown has used this notion to uncover the true art of healing.