Saving the Art of Medicine
Observations of a Practitioner
by Allen Sussman

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In his deeply thoughtful book, Dr. Sussman provides an expansive view of the field and all that being a healer entails. Sharing stories from his training as well as practice, drawing on data from a wealth of studies, and including a nuanced discussion of clinical trials, he argues that medicine should be more than just the treatment of a diseased or broken body part. Rather, physicians must respect the complex interrelationships of mind, body, and spirit, seeking always to connect the part to the whole. Saving the Art of Medicine starts with the history of medicine in shamanic times and culminates in a discussion of how a doctor heals even at the time of death. It delves into a multitude of phenomena, such as nonpharmacological pathways to health, the doctor-patient connection, and the power of our minds. Comprehensive and multi-faceted, the book is a profound acknowledgment of the art of medicine and unveils an extraordinary potential within the field. Underpinning all is the idea that open mindedness, humility, and compassion play an integral role. Only by cultivating these virtues, can doctors achieve the highest levels of well-being for their patients and meet their own full potential as healers. Dr. Sussman’s journey and his inspiring vision of medicine as a combined science and art make this a must-read for medical students, doctors, and anyone interested in improving their own medical care and the healthcare system at large.

www.savingtheartofmedicine.com

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"Sussman asserts that doctors need to embrace empathy, intuition, and a dash of alternative medicine in addition to traditional science in this medical memoir. A captivating journey into the psychic and spiritual dimensions of healing." —Kirkus Reviews "Dr. Sussman’s inspiring book guides the reader through a deeply personal journey of reflective soul searching and discernment, the kind of journey that is needed to appreciate and practice medicine with a sense of wisdom, humility, and wonder." - Dr. Joel & Michelle Levey, adjunct faculty, University of Minnesota Medical School; founders, Wisdom at Work; authors of Living in Balance: A Mindful Guide for Thriving in a Complex World and Mindfulness, Meditation, and Mind Fitness "Whether those reading this book are happy or disappointed with their current physician, Dr. Sussman is the role model for what we all would like to see in every clinician: not just knowledge of the science and latest research but, more importantly, a sense of compassion, empathy, and respect for every patient, no matter the circumstances. The numerous personal accounts are an invaluable contribution, helping to explain what “saving the art of medicine” means and why this is essential to the future of healthcare." - Irl B. Hirsch, M.D., professor of medicine, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute "This easy to read as well as practical book reminds me of the trials and tribulations I, and many of my colleagues, have suffered practicing the science of medicine. Patients have often not improved, despite our best evidence-based approaches. Treatments that were supposed to be the gold standard one year are lacking the next. Time with the patient suffers in the digital age, but if, as the author makes clear, the physician continues to show compassion, healing can still occur. This book could only have been written by one with the experience and open mind of a doctor such as Allen Sussman, willing to explore what lies beyond the constraints of science." - Gordon Irving, M.B., former medical director of Swedish Pain Services, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA; author of Pain Management for the Practicing Physician

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Allen Sussman was a board-certified endocrinologist in private practice for thirty-four years as well as clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington. As cofounder and president of Rainier Clinical Research Center, he was involved in hundreds of evidence-based studies and the development of ground-breaking technology for the treatment of diabetes. He also served as director of Alternative Medical Services at Valley Medical Center and participated in a Washington State Commission Taskforce to systematize standards of practice within alternative medicine. Married to his soulmate Melanie for over thirty years, he raised with her two sons, who both became doctors. Today, Dr. Sussman lives in Seattle, Washington, where he meditates every day in a beautiful Zen garden of his own design. His interests range from Buddhist philosophy to the science of consciousness and beyond.

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Contributors

Author

Allen Sussman

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