The experience has informed his work as a doctor -- and as a writer. Abraham Verghese, MD, MACP is part of Stanford Profiles, official site for faculty, postdocs, students and staff information (Expertise, Bio, Research, Publications, and more). Abraham Verghese, the well-known writer and physician, wonders why we make such a singular distinction for physician writers. They may be a major contributor to missed or delayed diagnosis, unnecessary exposure to contrast and radiation, incorrect treatment, and other adverse consequences. Referred Pain Physical Exam; Will the Healing Touch Go Out the Door With the Stethoscope? Analysis of the text reveals how cultural values may hinder a patient's ability to confront mortality and how unique social barriers inhibit different caretakers' ability to care for a dying patient.The privilege of examining a patient is a skill of value beyond its diagnostic utility. Following evidence synthesis, 13 distinct practices were reviewed by the Delphi panel, 8 of which met criteria for inclusion and were combined into a final set of 5 recommendations: (1) prepare with intention (take a moment to prepare and focus before greeting a patient); (2) listen intently and completely (sit down, lean forward, avoid interruptions); (3) agree on what matters most (find out what the patient cares about and incorporate these priorities into the visit agenda); (4) connect with the patient's story (consider life circumstances that influence the patient's health; acknowledge positive efforts; celebrate successes); and (5) explore emotional cues (notice, name, and validate the patient's emotions).This mixed-methods study identified 5 practices that have the potential to enhance physician presence and meaningful connection with patients in the clinical encounter. The purpose of this review was to characterize the associations between patient-provider interpersonal interventions and the quadruple aim outcomes (population health, patient experience, cost, and provider experience).We sourced data from PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycInfo (January 1997-August 2017). Before he finished medical school, Abraham Verghese spent a year on the other end of the medical pecking order, as a hospital orderly. Doctors and writers are both collectors of stories.” — New York Times Two abstractors independently extracted information about study design, methods, and quality. For both medical and non-medical professionals, creating presence requires managing and considering time and environmental factors; for physicians in particular, this includes managing and integrating technology. Evidence about its value focuses on its diagnostic accuracy and varies widely in methodological quality and statistical power. Although technological aids to diagnosis are likely to become even more widely available at the point of care, the evidence suggests that further research into the value of physical examination of the cardiovascular system is needed, particularly in low resource settings and as a potential means of limiting inappropriate overuse of technological aids to diagnosis.The bedside evaluation, consisting of the history and physical examination, was once the primary means of diagnosis and clinical monitoring.