Humanism in emergency medicine.
Emergency medicine has not yet appropriated "humanism" as a term of its own. Medical humanism needs to be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the practical goals of emergency medicine. In this essay, humanism in emergency medicine is defined by identifying the dehumanizing aspects of sudden illness and exploring of ways for sustaining the humanity of emergency department patients. Excerpts from Dr Oliver Sacks' autobiographical work A Leg to Stand On give voice to the human needs created by sudden illness and its treatment.
Rosenzweig
S
S
Division of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D005610:Freedom; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011187:Posture; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012933:Social Identification