Doctor and nurse together for a more humane medicine

Abstract

The article examines the doctor-patient relationship and the growing need for a human Medicine. The author focuses particu- larly on the figure of the nurse, irreplaceable presence at bedside and on the importance of an effective collaboration with doctors. The physician-nurse dialogue is a resource of information, not only technical, but that is also important for the doctor. The nurse is a bridge between doctor and patient, between doctor and fami- ly. He cares patients, from the beginning, during all his/her difficult course of disease. If Medicine intends to be really humane, it must accept the words of the sick, even those from Literature, Ci- nema or Art. First, the experience of life of doctors and patients, through the process of empathy that contribute, is able to arise. The disease is seen as an existential condition that asks the doc- tor to stretch his/her hand at least.