We call it patient non-compliance. But the art of medicine begins with a different question: Why?

Sometimes, what looks like refusal is really someone trying to protect their pride and self-worth.

Sometimes, a nod of obedience may be masking low health literacy and lack of comprehension.

Sometimes, instructions are not understood and the patient might be too embarrassed to say so.

Outcomes could potentially be better if we paused and asked why. The Art of Medicine cannot be taught but gained through understanding and attentive listening. By doing so, we gain insight into some of the complexities of our patients’ lives. We are able to see better where their humanity intersects with their diagnosis.

This realization may be the beginning of your connection with the human beyond the chart, while still mastering the art of not drowning yourself in the process.

Behind every diagnosis is a human story waiting to be heard. Read more in “The Other Side of the Bed: A Physician’s Journey into the Human Side of Medicine.”