Medicine is both a science and an art.
Science deals with what can be observed and measured, and a competent physician recognizes the signs of illness and disease and knows how to restore good health.
The art of medicine involves the application of medical science and technology to individual patients, families and communities, no two of which are identical.
By far the major part of the differences among individuals, families and communities is non-physiological, and it is in recognizing and dealing with these differences that ethics plays a major role.
By far the major part of the differences among individuals, families and communities is non-physiological, and ethics plays a major role in recognizing and dealing with these differences.
Effective communication skills, ethics and etiquette have become critical not only to avoid errors, complaints and legal claims, but also to establish the essential therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, to ensure adherence to medical therapy and for good clinical outcomes.