The Value of Listening

Clinicians saw 200 people over 4 days; they listened to the breadth and depth of the human experience. Twenty minutes is a blink of an eyelash when measured against the length of one’s life, but it’s enough time to feel the pain of another and to reach out to touch them with compassion.

It is those moments, when we are reminded of our shared humanity, that make all suffering bearable. In a short time, in a public place, without privacy, not making diagnoses or prescribing drugs, patients and clinicians connected in a heartfelt way that had a positive impact on both. When we did a post questionnaire, patients said they would come back.

We are psychiatrists. We listen to patients. We reflect and enlighten. And if we really pay attention – even for only 20 minutes – we would be reminded of what we like doing best, and we can magnify our therapeutic efficacy.

Dr. Hammerschlag, a leading proponent of psychoneuroimmunology (mind-body-spirit medicine), is chief of community mental health at the Gesundheit! Institute in Hillsboro, W.Va. He also is affiliated with the Arizona Health Sciences Center at the University of Arizona. In addition, Dr. Hammerschlag is a professional keynote speaker and author of numerous books on healing, spirituality, and other topics. To get in touch with him, e-mail him at info@healingdoc.com.