6.2 - Compassion

In this episode of The Hippocratic Society Podcast, Michael and Dr. John Rhee dive into the essential role of compassion in medicine. Building on their previous discussion with Dr. Kristen Collier, they explore how true compassion goes beyond emotion—it is an intentional act rooted in wisdom. Through a compelling patient story and reflections on suffering, virtue, and moral imagination, they offer insights into cultivating compassion even in the most challenging clinical situations. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on how to grow in empathy and care for patients with greater depth and purpose.   Further Reading/References Are You Experiencing Compassion Fatigue, Rebecca A. Clay (2020), American Psychological Association Compassion in Healthcare: An Updated Scoping Review of the Literature, Malenfant S, Jaggi P, Hayden KA, Sinclair S (2022), BMC Palliative Care, 21(1):1-28 The Anfortas Question, M.S. Sanatani (2010), Canadian Medical Association Journal, 182(11) The Philosophy of Medicine Reborn: A Pellegrino Reader, Edmund D. Pellegrino (2008), University of Notre Dame Press The Rebirth of the Clinic: An Introduction to Spirituality in Health Care, Daniel P. Sulmasy (2006), Georgetown University Press The Tamworth Reading Room (from Discussions and Arguments), John Henry Newman (1841), Longmans, Green & Co. Physician Burnout: Its Origin, Symptoms, and Five Main Causes, Dike Drummond, MD (2015), Family Practice Management, 22(5):42-47 Practicing Medicine and Ethics: Integrating Wisdom, Conscience, and Goals of Care, Lauris C. Kaldjian (2014), Cambridge University Press Resident and Fellow Well-Being: Everything You Need to Know About Resident and Fellow Burnout, My Well-Being Index (n.d.), MyWellBeingIndex.org   ⁠The True Value of Reframing⁠, OptimalWork