1st Edition
Anesthesia and the Classics Essays on avatars of professional values
A collection of 25 thought provoking Essays which create a bridge between the Classical personification of values and link them to current training and education in Western Medicine. This readable and erudite text provides a framework for modern clinical values - with a particular emphasis on anesthesiology - set in the context of ageless dilemmas facing each generation of physicians.
Medicine as a profession carries some specific obligations.The qualities of empathy, knowledge, generosity, respect, and scholarship provide a "family" of values that was personified by the Ancients in the family of Asklepios, and which form the basis of professional values today. Moreover, a substantial amount of professional growth should come from reflection based on the experience of caring for real patients – an appreciation of the human condition. Each essay within this beautifully crafted book illustrates the importance of expertise, skill, focus, mindfulness, and collaboration, all of which are integral to professionalism in medicine, and in particular to those working in the field of anesthesiology.
Anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesia Assistants will find much to enhance their professional understanding within this text. The principles, values and traits of professionalism are relevant to all medical specialties and these essays provide a lyrical understanding of the traits required for professional development.
Preface
Introduction: Looking Backward, Looking Forward: The Legacy of Janus
Part I: The Human Condition
1. Disease: The Nosoi
2. Health and Healing: The Asklepiades
3. Uncertainty: Nyx and Her Children
4. Safety: Soteria
5. The Spirits of Pain and Suffering: The Algea
6. Anesthesia : "A Not- Feeling Pain"
Part II: Qualities
7. Scholarship: Kheiron
8. Skill: Tekhne
9. Beauty and Grace: Kalleis , Aphrodite and Apollo
10. Wisdom: Sophia
Part III: The Emotions
11. Strife and Harmony: Eris and Harmonia
12. Fear and Panic: Phobos
13. Love: The Erotes
Part IV: Morality
14. Truth and Lies: Aletheia and Pseudologos
15. Respect: Aidos
16. Justice: Dike
17. Kindliness: Philoprosyne
18. Self-Control: Sophrosyne
Part V: Voice
19. Consolation: Paregoros
20. Eloquence: Kalliope
Part VI: Actions
21. Effort and Laziness: Hormes and Aergia
22. Victory and Retreat: Nike and Palioxis
Part VII: Society
23. Law and Order/ Lawlessness, Disorder and Ruin: Nomos and Eunomia/ Dysnomia and Ate
24. Justice and Democracy: Dike and Demokratia
Postface
Biography
Robert S. Holzman M.D., M.A. (Hon), FAAP,Senior Associate in Perioperative Anesthesia Boston Children's Hospital, Professor of Anaesthesia Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
"Anesthesia and the Classics: Essays on Avatars of Professional Values warrants being chewed, digested, and ruminated upon. It deserves to be the foundation of, and stimulus for, lively and productive discussions of professionalism in anesthesiology programs throughout the nation. Trainees and faculty alike, as well as certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesia assistants, will benefit from reflecting on the messages about the enduring values, traits, and behaviors integral to professionalism contained within its pages."
Douglas R. Bacon MD, MA
