Medicine in Between: Thomas Wolfe, Spirituality, and the Meaning of Life
Questions of meaning may seem more properly suited to the spheres of religion or philosophy; yet physicians certainly witness some of the greatest sufferings of their patients’ lives, and through this suffering, many patients look to their doctors not just for treatments but for answers. In this ess...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Springer Science + Business Media B. V.
2022
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In: |
Journal of religion and health
Year: 2022, Volume: 61, Issue: 4, Pages: 3151-3163 |
Further subjects: | B
Spirituality
B Literature B Patient-doctor relationship B Illness B Meaning |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | Questions of meaning may seem more properly suited to the spheres of religion or philosophy; yet physicians certainly witness some of the greatest sufferings of their patients’ lives, and through this suffering, many patients look to their doctors not just for treatments but for answers. In this essay, the author highlights an exchange between patient and doctor in Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward, Angel, to argue that physicians need not have ready made answers about life, meaning, or spirituality, but should indeed provide comfort and support when their patients ask: "What’s it all about?" |
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ISSN: | 1573-6571 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01388-2 |