“For his erection, he didn’t need testosterone: he just needed to be heard”
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Interview
Named sources
Context piece
- Dr. Montori advocates for unhurried consultations where doctors actively listen to patients, contrasting with brief, dismissive appointments.
- He shares an example of a patient whose erectile dysfunction was resolved through empathetic listening rather than unnecessary testosterone treatment.
- Montori emphasizes the importance of understanding a patient's life context to provide effective and personalized medical care, moving beyond a purely transactional relationship.
Dr. Montori champions a patient-centered approach to medicine, emphasizing the profound impact of empathetic listening over rushed, impersonal consultations. He recounts a case where a patient suffering from erectile dysfunction received a testosterone prescription after a mere five-minute visit with an endocrinologist, with no improvement. Upon seeing Montori, a 40-minute conversation revealed the patient's distress stemmed from the severe illness and subsequent loss of his parents, for whom he had been the sole caregiver.
He didn't need testosterone; he just needed to be heard.
"He didn't need testosterone; he just needed to be heard," Montori stated, highlighting that addressing the patient's grief led to his recovery. This anecdote underscores Montori's critique of brief medical appointments that often fail to diagnose underlying psychological or life-contextual issues, sometimes exacerbating problems. He argues that true healing requires more than a quick prescription; it demands a doctor's willingness to engage deeply with the patient's life.
Having more time per patient depends on the healthcare system and the politicians we choose to manage it.
Montori further elaborates on the nature of the doctor-patient relationship, questioning the transactional dynamic often present in private healthcare. He posits that a genuine clinical relationship necessitates a doctor's "curiosity about the patient's life" to anticipate how prescribed treatments will impact their daily existence. This involves not only understanding potential treatment interferences but also fostering a respectful, trusting environment where patients feel comfortable sharing intimate details.
Get involved in the patient's life, because the patient is already very involved.
Challenging the notion that doctors must develop emotional detachment to cope with suffering, Montori asserts that empathy is crucial for effective practice. "Protecting oneself is not good clinical practice," he argues, suggesting that a doctor's own experience of suffering, whether as a patient or through understanding human vulnerability, enhances their ability to connect with and treat patients. He advocates for an "eye that listens without judging," embracing the full spectrum of human experience, including shame-associated ailments, to improve patient well-being.
The clinical eye begins by being an ear that listens without judging the patient.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by La Vanguardia in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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