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APA Newsletters

Fall 2006
Volume 06, Number 1

Newsletter on Philosophy and Medicine

From the Editors

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This is a fascinating edition of the Newsletter on Philosophy and Medicine. It includes papers from two Committee-sponsored sessions and a wonderful poem.
Mary V. Rorty of Stanford University organized this year’s Committee-sponsored session at the APA Pacific Division meeting. The topic of this year’s meeting was, "Medicalization: Rhetoric and Value." The term "medicalization" itself usually carries a negative connotation. This session was designed to look at the use of the term and the benefits and disadvantages associated with bringing a condition into the purview of medicine. The panelists, John Hardwig, Felicia Nimue Ackerman, and James L. Nelson, discussed the ways in which the incorporation of medical treatment into each stage of life is, in fact, a good or bad thing.

The papers by John Hardwig, Felicia Nimue Ackerman, and James L. Nelson are all included within this issue and provide diverse opinions on the subject. In his paper, "Medicalization and Death," John Hardwig carefully analyzes the implications of the term "medicalization" in today’s society and then delves into the medicalization of the dying process. Hardwig explains how putting off death can cause harms to society and the patient. In her paper, "In Praise of Fairy Godmothers: A Limited Defense of Medicalization," Felicia Nimue Ackerman argues that medicalization is not the evil it is made out to be. She maintains that if medicine could create a magic pill to solve a medical problem there would be little reason not to take it. In "Boxing with Shadows: Medicalization and Other Fetishes," James L. Nelson looks at medicalization with a sympathetic but skeptical eye. He shows us how to appreciate some implications of spreading the domain of medicine while being wary of other expansions.

Lee M. Brown of Howard University organized the APA’s Central Division Committee-sponsored session. The topic of this year’s meeting was "The Role of Compassion in Medical Education and Medical Practice." For this session Lee Brown had recruited a large cadre of speakers: Laura Ekstrom, Gordon Greene, Ben Rich, Sandra Shapshay, Howard Spiro, and Angelo Volandes. The panel offered their views on empathy in regards to medicine. They raised questions about whether and how empathy contributes to medicine or hinders the practice. These insightful discussions led directly to consideration of the implications of empathy for medical education.

We have four contributions in this section, three from session presenters along with the comments of the organizer, Lee Brown. In her paper, "Compassion, A Double-edged Scalpel," Sandra L. Shapshay explores the proper level of compassion between doctor and patient. She explains a fitting level of compassion as one which allows a bond to form without impeding the responsibilities of the doctor. In "The Role of Compassion in Medicine," Lee M. Brown argues for the importance of compassion in science-based medicine, showing how better healing can be achieved through compassion. Ben Rich sheds light on aspects of the problem that arise in medical education. In his paper, "Breeding Cynicism: The Re-Education of Medical Students," Rich explains the phenomenon of the hidden curriculum which tends to purge compassion from trainees in the process of becoming doctors. Howard Spiro’s "Comments on Empathy" distinguishes empathy from compassion. He explains why physicians must be empathic in order to relate to their patients and how empathy implies understanding rather than paternalism.

We are also happy to include "Henrietta Pratt, 80, Has a Surprise for You," a new poem by Felicia Nimue Ackerman.

In order to continue offering our readers exciting issues jam-packed with timely and informative pieces chock full of provocative philosophical discussions, please continue to send us your work. We also remind you to think of this Newsletter as a place for your announcements, letters, papers, case analyses, poetry, and stories. Please feel free to volunteer a book review. Your contributions and queries should be sent to Rosamond or Mark at the addresses below. Please include your phone and fax numbers and email address.

Rosamond Rhodes and Mark Sheldon
Co-Editors, Newsletter on Philosophy and Medicine

Rosamond Rhodes
Box 1108
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
One Gustave Levy Place
New York, NY 10029
Phone: 212-241-3757
Fax: 212-241-5028
Email: rosamond.rhodes@mssm.edu

Mark Sheldon
Department of Philosophy and
Medical Ethics and Humanities Program
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847-328-2739
Email: sheldon@northwestern.edu

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