From the Patient’s Perspective — Understanding True Suffering

Chunichi Shimbun, Morning Edition, August 4, 2006

“I’m sure you can’t understand the true suffering of patients because you’ve never been sick,” I was once told. But medicine cannot rely on doctors experiencing every illness firsthand. I believe a good doctor is one who can understand and empathize with patients’ struggles even without having the disease. In reality, however, is this always the case?

The 1991 American film Doctor illustrates this. William Hurt plays Jack, an elite heart surgeon who is highly skilled and has a sharp sense of humor—but cannot understand his patients’ pain. He performs complex surgeries while singing along to music, teaching interns not to form emotional attachments to patients, and mocking surgeons who take the time to treat patients with care.

One day, Jack notices a problem with his throat. When he visits his hospital, he waits a long time, has his tests rescheduled for the convenience of the staff, and is even mistakenly given an enema. He is diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. Although his attending physician is competent and efficient, she shows little empathy. Jack becomes frustrated with the treatment process, reflecting on his own behavior and apologizing to the surgeons he once mocked.

Jack’s perspective changes when he meets June, a female patient with a brain tumor. Her acceptance of death and cheerful demeanor reveal a strength Jack lacks. He confesses to her his long-standing struggle with vulnerability. A memorable scene shows Jack and June dancing at sunset in the desert, her hair gone from radiation treatment—a moment of beauty and humanity.

Returning to work, Jack imposes a 72-hour “patient experience” on his interns, having them wear thin hospital gowns to experience the hardships of hospitalization.

By trying to understand others and learning from their perspective, we grow as human beings. Doctors are no exception.