Saving the Art of Medicine: Observations of a Practitioner

In his deeply thoughtful book, Dr. Sussman provides an expansive view of the field and all that being a healer entails. Sharing stories from his training as well as practice, drawing on data from a wealth of studies, and including a nuanced discussion of clinical trials, he argues that medicine should be more than just the treatment of a diseased or broken body part. Rather, physicians must respect the complex interrelationships of mind, body, and spirit, seeking always to connect the part to the whole.

Saving the Art of Medicine starts with the history of medicine in shamanic times and culminates in a discussion of how a doctor heals even at the time of death. It delves into a multitude of phenomena, such as nonpharmacological pathways to health, the doctor-patient connection, and the power of our minds. Comprehensive and multi-faceted, the book is a profound acknowledgment of the art of medicine and unveils an extraordinary potential within the field.

Underpinning all is the idea that open mindedness, humility, and compassion play an integral role. Only by cultivating these virtues, can doctors achieve the highest levels of well-being for their patients and meet their own full potential as healers. Dr. Sussman’s journey and his inspiring vision of medicine as a combined science and art make this a must-read for medical students, doctors, and anyone interested in improving their own medical care and the healthcare system at large.